In Uganda, the new containment will be in place in mid-June that associations fear a further increase in cases of early marriage in the country. During the first wave of the pandemic last year, an increase in cases was already seen, especially linked to the economic crisis caused by the restrictions.
as reported from Kampala, Lucie Mouillaud
Since the beginning of the new containment, Charlotte Kusemererwa, a volunteer for Joy for Children, calls the victims every day for early marriages followed by NGOs. The goal: to keep the smallest contact despite the distance. “For example, for this conversation, I asked about the children, then we talked about his job while locked up and how other members of society feel. But conversations are not as effective as visits. “
Cases of early marriage have increased since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and with the new restrictions introduced in mid-June, Charlotte is concerned about the dangers of young girls. We have several cases, for example, we recently took care of a 12-year-old girl who had just had a baby, and these cases happen more often now that the teenagers have to stay at home. We identify them thanks to the groups we have organized and trained in communities. ”
The main reasons for this increase: school closures and the economic crisis linked to the pandemic. Moses Ntenga, Head of Joy for Children. Many people do not have enough food for themselves, so families will marry their daughters for money. Some teenage girls also run away to join a man who promises them food and a better life if they get married. “
Uganda is already one of the countries with the most cases of early marriage in the world: according to Unicef, one in three girls is married before the age of 18.
A married girl means one mouth less to feed
Camille Romain Des Boscs, Director of the NGO Vision du Monde
► Also read: Uganda has a sad record for having collected five variants of Covid-19
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