United States commits additional funding to prevent early child marriage

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The United States is committing an additional $500,000 towards the prevention of early, child, and forced marriages in Somalia.

The US also increased its contribution to the adolescent girls’ education in Somalia (AGES) program that is being implemented by CARE International.

Education has been identified as a key factor that contributes to early marriages among adolescent girls with only 25 percent of young girls currently enrolled in schools in Somalia.

Young women equipped with literacy skills such as numeracy, finance, and leadership have also been identified as key in ensuring that they make healthier decisions for themselves and their families.

The United States Agency for International Development and the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Organization together with the AGES program is currently facilitating over 80,000 young girls and women to gain foundational and leadership skills around Somalia.

The additional funding will support further leadership and empowerment components tailored towards the needs of adolescent girls and young women within Somali communities.