Strengthening engagement with adolescents and communities to end child marriage and adolescent pregnancy in Zambia
Northern Province; Mbala District
This project is driven by our commitment to protecting the rights, health, and futures of adolescent girls and boys in Zambia. Child marriage and adolescent pregnancy remain persistent challenges in Mbala District, perpetuated by harmful social norms, beliefs, and gender inequalities. Adolescents, families, and community members require awareness, life skills, and empowerment to make informed decisions, access essential services, and challenge harmful practices. By mobilizing communities and engaging key influencers, the project works to prevent child marriage, reduce adolescent pregnancy, and promote gender equality.
Ministry of Community Development and Social Services; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Health
The project mobilizes communities to address the root causes of child marriage and adolescent pregnancy through gender-transformative programming. It engages adolescents, boys and men, families, and community leaders to build knowledge, skills, and awareness of rights, promote healthy relationships and positive masculinities, and increase access to services. Key approaches include:
• SASA! (Start, Awareness, Support, Action): Community mobilisation approach to challenge harmful norms and empower communities to lead change.
• Young Men as Equal Partners (YMEP): Sports-based programming to engage adolescent boys on gender equality, reproductive health, and preventing gender-based violence.
• Life Skills and Health Education (LSHE): Delivers education to children and adolescents In and Out of school to strengthen decision-making, self-confidence, and health seeking behaviour.
• Men Taking Action (MTATM): Encourages men and boys to act as allies and champions for gender equality.
• Peer Educators and Mentors: Peer-led groups empowering adolescents with life skills, gender-transformative education, and awareness of their rights.
• Engage underserved and marginalized adolescent girls (10–19 years) in life skills and LSHE programmes to build knowledge, skills, and awareness of their rights.
• Empower boys and men to adopt positive masculinities, promote gender equality, and prevent harmful practices.
• Mobilize families, traditional, religious, and community leaders to advocate for alternatives to child marriage and support adolescent girls’ rights.
• Increase access to essential services for adolescents affected by violence, exploitation, or early marriage.
