We shape global policies and work with local organizations to prevent early and forced marriage, and to ensure that vulnerable youth, including married and unmarried adolescent girls, can access the information and services they need. We advocate at the United Nations and in Washington, DC, to secure government commitments and funding to end the harmful practice of child marriage around the world.
Meet Our Partner: ALVF-Cameroon
Based in the Extreme North region of Cameroon, ALVF works to end all forms of gender-based violence, including child marriage.
In this video, ALVF founder Sike Bille speaks with IWHC President Françoise Girard about how she established ALVF and began her work to end child marriage.
Partner: Association pour la Promotion de l’Autonomie et des Droits de la Jeune Fille/Femme (APAD)
Early and forced marriage is illegal in Cameroon, but economic and social factors allow the tradition to continue. Approximately 36 percent of girls under 18 are married — often against their will. In the extreme north region of the country, the figure jumps to nearly 80 percent.
APAD has trained more than 150 survivors of early and forced marriage to speak out against this practice. In addition, 17 influential traditional leaders have been trained to convince parents of young girls to refrain from marrying them off and insist they remain in school.
