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OCTOBER EDITION
October began with a moment of reflection and strategic planning for the Girls Not Brides Secretariat as we had our whole team retreat. This retreat served as a collective recharge, reuniting us and building momentum for the exciting journey ahead in 2024. This October’s edition of the Voices continues this collective momentum by spotlighting the incredible initiatives of International Day of the Girl (11 October) in India, the launch of Red Voceras by the Guatemala National Partnership, and celebrations from the official launch of the Girls Not Brides Kenya National Partnership.
LOOKING FORWARD: 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. This year’s campaign calls on citizens to show the actions they will take to end gender-based violence by sharing actions that will be taken. As this campaign highlights the importance of activists and activism, we want you to join us and fill out the form so that you can be a part of our campaign and share the importance of activists.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL HIGHLIGHTS FROM INDIA
An awareness program, organised by Sahyogini and District Legal Services Authority Bokaro, marked International Girl Child Day at Nyaya Sadan Auditorium. Inaugurated by Dalsa Secretary Nibha Ranjan Lakra, the event focused on ending child marriage Addressing the event Lakra, said, “There has been remarkable progress in the way India is dealing with the issue of child marriage but the way forward is still long." District Child Protection Officer Anita Jha highlighted their ground-level work, addressing both awareness creation and the implementation of existing laws. Sahyogini Secretary Kalyani Sagar highlighted the work Sahyogini is carrying out with young adolescent girls in providing self-awareness and leadership skills so that they themselves can end child marriage. The event ended by participants present taking an oath to end child marriage.
Jan Lok Kalyan Parishad also conducted a series of activities to raise awareness on child marriage for International Day of the Girl. These included a pledge by 5200 youths in high schools and government institutions, rallies, and a meeting with district stakeholders. They also chose to raise awareness through artistic formats by conducting a slogan and painting competition aimed to create awareness materials, and initiatives such as addressing child marriage through music, a signature campaign with key officials, as well as a 12-day Rath Yatra in all six blocks of Pakur district were undertaken to create mass awareness.
GUATEMALA NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP "RED VOCERAS" JUST LAUNCHED
The Network "Red Voceras de Niñas y Adolescentes" is an initiative facilitated by Mesa a Favor de Las Niñas y Adolescentes (NP) for young girls and adolescents. It is projected to consist of participants from different regions of the country who will undergo a hybrid training process on advocacy and political engagement, aiming to strengthen their knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The training program will provide essential tools for advocacy and political engagement, emphasizing the collective development of a curriculum and methodology guide to ensure a human rights-based, gender-sensitive, and leadership approach. Some key elements to be covered in the training sessions include analysis of the national reality, legal framework in favour of girls and adolescents, political advocacy, communication, effective use of ICTs and social media, media engagement, and public speaking.
GIRLS NOT BRIDES KENYA NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH
Girls Not Brides Kenya (GNB Kenya) is a network of over 60 national and grassroots CSOs that aims to engage in policy and budget advocacy at the national level, to ensure policy is formulated and implemented to end child marriage. The network was established in September 2017 as the End Child Marriage Network-Kenya, and in 2020, it officially became Girls Not Brides Kenya. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Girls Not Brides Kenya was unable to officially launch the partnership. The official launch this month was an opportunity to acknowledge their incredible work so far, from securing funding for a cross-border project on ending child marriage in Migori County with the support of Girls Not Brides, to engaging with different stakeholders. We are looking forward to more successes ahead!
EVENTS
Wednesday, 29 November 2023. The CRANK research meeting: What can we learn from this year’s evidence reviews on addressing child marriage and supporting married girls? This meeting will be a space to identify and reflect on emerging research and gaps, drawing on what works to inform child marriage policies and interventions.
JOINT STATEMENT SUBMITTED TO THE 68TH SESSION ON THE COMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW)
To lift girls and women out of poverty, we must end child marriage: Joint statement submitted to the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women: Ahead of CSW68, Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage, together with Anti-Slavery International, the Global Campaign for Education, Soroptimist International, and CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, submitted a written statement with recommendations for the Agreed Conclusions that will be adopted at CSW68.
RESOURCES ON CHILD, EARLY AND FORCED MARRIAGES AND UNIONS IN LAC
Child, Early and Forced Marriages and Unions in girls and adolescents in five cantons in Ecuador: A study of the situation of CEFMU in Ecuador, with recent data and testimonies of girls, adolescents and civil society organisations. Published by Plan International Ecuador, UNFPA and UNICEF
Essay: Sexuality among adolescents: This essay (in Spanish), published in the book "Unexpected effects: Feminism and the criminal stakes in Mexico" explores how by prohibiting and criminalising sexuality among adolescents generates conditions in which they can't live their sexuality in a secure environment and where violences are more common. Published by feminist Mexican civil society organisations and Balance A.C., a Girls Not Brides member organisation.
