16 Days of Activism: UNHCR vows to work for the end of child marriage
UNHCR chief António Guterres stresses need to advocate with governments for child marriage to be prohibited by law, and for this to be effectively enforced.
GENEVA, November 25 (UNHCR) - UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres on Tuesday condemned child marriage and said his organization must do its utmost to help stop the practice, which affects an estimated 15 million girls every year. His remarks came in a short ceremony in Geneva to mark the annual 16 Days of Activism against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, where he said it was UNHCR's duty to counter child marriage.
For this year's 16 Days, which end on International Human Rights Day (December 10), UNHCR has chosen its own theme: "Protecting Rights and Preserving Childhoods: Working Together to Address Child Marriage." While praising the work done to date by UNHCR staff, Guterres said more could be done.
"Given that child marriage is a deeply rooted practice, UNHCR must continue to work closely with communities, community leaders, and health and education actors to spread awareness about its risks and about the benefits of keeping children in school and delaying marriage until their adult years," he said in a separate message for staff.
"We must advocate with governments for child marriage to be prohibited by law, and for this to be effectively enforced. Skills and vocational training for children-at-risk, as well as income-generating activities for their families, can help to prevent child marriage," he added.
The High Commissioner said that owing to the link between sexual and gender-based violence and power relations, the empowerment of women at all levels was essential to protect the rights of girls. "Providing support to girls who have married young is also crucial," he stressed.
Guterres said that child marriage violated rights and denied opportunities and he encouraged staff to spread awareness about the risks and to work with communities to find ways to protect the rights of girls and improve their access to education, giving them the chance for a brighter future.
Child marriage takes place in many countries where UNHCR operates, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Some displaced people practised child marriage before they fled their homes, and the tradition continues. Others feel they have little choice owing to the pressures and insecurity they face: marriage is seen as a way to protect children or as a means of alleviating economic hardship.
Marrying at an early age can have a devastating impact on a child's life. Though some boys are also married as children, which can place adult burdens on their shoulders and interrupt their education, this is predominantly a problem facing girls.
Below the age of 18 years, girls are neither physically nor emotionally ready to become wives and mothers. They are more susceptible to domestic violence, including sexual violence, particularly owing to the power imbalance between a girl and an older man.
Married girls are frequently denied the opportunity to go to school: their families see little value in education once they are married. Not only does this deprive girls of the opportunity to learn and socialize with their peers, it makes them dependent on their husbands, further exposes them to abuse and limits their future prospects.
Adolescent girls who become pregnant are at high risk of maternal mortality and other complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Still children themselves, they may also lack the knowledge or capacity to raise their own children, with serious repercussions for their health and well-being. Child marriages are frequently not legally registered, which can be an impediment to birth registration, resulting in additional protection risks.
UNHCR offices across the world will be holding a wide range of activities to mark the 16 Days of Activism and today's International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women. Staff in the field have collected drawings and stories from children depicting their opinions, fears and experiences of child marriage. The overwhelming message is that children do not want to marry - they want to embrace their childhoods and continue with their schooling, and they fear being exposed to abuse.
The 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It brings together UNHCR, partners, persons of concern and host communities worldwide in a united call to end sexual and gender-based violence in all its forms.
Your search for « 16 days of activism » matched 212 results. Displaying page 6 of 24 pages.
-
UNHCR Handbook for the Protection of Women and Girls, January 2008
Jan 2008 ... ... international protection.” High Commissioner António Guterres launching the annual 16 Days of Activism to Eliminate Violence Against Women, November 2007 33 Introduction Some of the ...... -
Bi-annual fact sheet 2022 09 Portugal
Sep 2022 ... GENDER-BASED AWARENESS-RAISING WORKSHOP WITH REFUGEE WOMEN During the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, UNHCR Portugal held a GBV workshop raising awareness on GBV and holding ...... -
We must act to empower women, says Lubbers at UNHCR gender awards
5 Dec 2003 ... The award-giving ceremony coincides with a world-wide campaign dubbed "16 days of activism to end violence against women", which is held every year from November 25 - December 10 to step up efforts ...... -
UNHCR Age, Gender and Diversity Accountability Report 2017
2017 ... ... This included awareness sessions with men and boys on the protection challenges faced by women, trainings, focus group discussions and various events organized for 16 Days of Activism against ...... -
Uganda's refugee response confronted by dire funding gap
29 Nov 2022 ... ... This situation is especially relevant as the world marks 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. There are signs of hope and progress despite all these challenges. At Rwamwanja, I met a ...... -
Bi-annual fact sheet 2023 02 Armenia
Feb 2023 ... craft-sales and Christmas celebrations, music/art events, a meeting with a Ukrainian celebrity and an interactive awareness-raising session on 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. ...... -
Fighting HIV and AIDS together with Refugees: Report on UNHCR's HIV and AIDS Programmes and Activities for 2004
23 Aug 2005 ... ... During the last quarter of year, the 16 days of activism against violence were launched and the open forum discussions, lectures, video shows were conducted around this year’s team: “HIV/AIDS and ...... -
UNHCR warns second wave of COVID pandemic driving further violence against refugee women and girls
25 Nov 2020 ... ... Echoing this year’s UN theme for the 16 Days of Activism in promoting action to fund, respond, prevent and collect data to end gender-based violence, UNHCR is urging donor support to preserve and ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2004 - Sudan
1 Jun 2005 ... ... UNHCR took the lead and worked with government officials, UN partners, the Ahfad University for Women and NGOs in introduc- ing the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence and HIV/AIDS in Sudan. ......