GIRLS CAMPAIGN TO END CHILD MARRIAGE

Living in Northern Nigeria has made me somewhat thick skinned to girl-child brides. I do not cringe anymore when I pass them on the streets, or in the markets. I am sure many citizens are like me. We have grown callous to this evil, and often look the other way. I used to be very vocal about my displeasure in child marriage and the resultant health and psychological problems. Now, I just try.

Child marriage continues to be one of the greatest barriers that prevents girls from realizing their full potential. It curtails their education, exposes them and their children to increased risks in childbirth, and limits their opportunities for the future.

Unlike some of us, many young people in Africa are at the forefront of ending this practice of child marriage.Below, is the remarkable mission of a young Nigerian lady, Maryam from the Save the Children Foundation :

 "I am campaigning to end to child marriage and sexual abuse, and to ensure girls have access to education and reproductive rights. For the past four years, I have worked with various organizations and the media to promote the well-being of girls. I organize discussions with adolescent girls where they talk about issues they face.I use my voice to hold government accountable. I produce songs and speak at forums on girls health and education. I am a youth reporter and the leader of the Chibok girl’s ambassadors, where I organized marches demanding the release of the Chibok girls.

I would like my community to change the mindset about educating girls because educating and empowering girls is one of the best ways to eradicate poverty. I would also like my community to change their views on child marriage, because it leads to many health challenges for girls.

I am calling on our leaders to include us when making decisions that affect our lives. I urge them to set up programs that will remove social barriers that limit us or hurt us, and to establish laws and policies that protect our rights.

I will be 30 when the Sustainable Development Goals will end. This means my generation is responsible for holding leaders accountable for delivering these goals. By investing in my health, my education and my decision making capacity, the cycle of poverty can be broken and all of the sustainable development goals can be achieved simply by empowering me to reach my full potential." 

- Kirsten Okenwa

HELP FOR RURAL WOMEN FARMERS

COURTESY WORLD BANK

Africa, a continent with huge agriculture potential. Yet, the cost of farming and crops skyrocket daily. There is little impact in the rural areas for all the government polices and agriculture grants. Our rural areas are teeming with enterprising women and girls hard at work in the farms, in food production, or in the markets. The work is tiresome and produces very little income for some. They need better access to information, finance, and marketing network. 

In 2017, Amber Africa is working with these rural women in the areas of:

* Farming Education

* Loans

* Money Saving Schemes and 

* Marketing support. 

Our Pilot schemes are ongoing in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria, where local communities are benefiting from our training and support.