Kalela Woreda Justice Sector’s Triumph over Child Marriage

 Eleven individuals in South Wollo Zone, kelala Woreda of Amhara regional State were accused and charged for arranging child marriage in 2017. These people were Mothers, fathers, brothers, religious leaders, “husband”, and elders to the victims.Two of the offenders were imprisoned for a year and the rest were fined to pay up to 2000…

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Yes to education No to Early Marriage

Teshale Asmamaw was one of the girls from her school, Enebrei Elementary, who was selected to attend JFA-PFE’s training about the harms of child marriage in 2014. She is a resident of Enbesie Sar Midir woreda, East Gojam zone, which was identified as one of the hot spots of child marriage in the Amhara…

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Coercions No Longer Working

15 year old Tirualem Temesgen ran away from home, which was in Bibugan woreda (district), East Gojam zone, to escape the pressure of child marriage. Her father wanted her to marry another priest, like him, which was unacceptable to her. “I wanted to go to school, so I said no and left home,” she…

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If I had a choice, I would rather repeat the 9th grade than get married

Birtukan Dessie grew up in Meket woreda (district), North Wollo zone, Amhara region in Ethiopia. When Birtukan was 16 years old, she failed the 9th grade which immediately triggered her family’s decision to find her a husband. For her family, continuing school was out of the question. In the region, it is believed to…

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