A decade of progress: Celebrating 10 years of the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage and renewing the call to end child marriage in Southern Africa

Sally Ncube, Regional Representative for Southern Africa at Equality Now, and H.E. Boemo Sekgoma, Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum. Photo credit: Focus Media Productions

One in three girls in East and Southern Africa is married before the age of 18, often with devastating consequences for their health, education, and economic opportunities. 

Ten years after its adoption, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage remains a powerful blueprint for change.

The Model Law was adopted through the leadership of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), and is one of the region’s most important legal and policy instruments to end child marriage. The comprehensive framework establishes 18 years as the minimum age of marriage, without exception. 

Laying the foundation to end child marriage

The Model Law was adopted on 3 June 2016, at the 39th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum  in Ezulwini, Eswatini.

The Law inspired legal reforms, advocacy campaigns, and community mobilisation across the region. Most SADC countries have made significant strides in aligning national legislation with the principles of the Model Law, demonstrating that regional solidarity can drive meaningful change. 

Despite progress, child marriage remains a challenge. The persistence of this practice reminds us that laws alone are not enough; they must be effectively implemented, monitored, and supported by communities.

As we commemorate the anniversary, Equality Now joins governments, parliamentarians, civil society organisations, regional institutions, development partners, survivor-led movements, child rights advocates, and communities across Southern Africa in celebrating a decade of collective action, progress, and commitment to ending child marriage and protecting the rights of every child.

Over the past decade, the exceptional leadership of the SADC Parliamentary Forum Secretary General H. E Boemo Sekgoma, the support of the SADC PF Secretariat, members of the technical working group on the implementation of the SADC Model law on Child marriage and partners have been instrumental in supporting Member States through domestication and implementation capacity strengthening. 

Through sustained advocacy, parliamentary engagement, regional cooperation, and policy dialogue, they have helped place child marriage firmly on the regional development and human rights agenda. Their efforts have inspired and supported member states to review laws, align national legal frameworks with regional and international standards, and strengthen accountability mechanisms.

The anniversary is also an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of SADC member states that have undertaken legal and policy reforms to address child marriage, as well as the contributions of civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, national human rights institutions, youth movements, women’s rights organisations, and development partners who continue to drive change at community, national, and regional levels.

What we have done to accelerate efforts to end child marriage

For more than three decades, Equality Now has worked globally to protect and promote the rights of women and girls. Since 1992, we have actively advocated for the prevention of child, early, and forced marriage, calling on governments to enact and enforce laws that prohibit child marriage and establish 18 years as the minimum age of marriage without exception. 

In partnership with the SADC Parliamentary Forum and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Equality Now has supported a regional and national advocacy programme focused on the domestication and implementation of the SADC Model Law on child marriage.

Through research, policy engagement, technical support, and collaboration,we have contributed to advancing legal reform and strengthening protection mechanisms for children affected by child marriage.

Our collective efforts have generated critical evidence and practical guidance to support domestication and implementation of the model law. These include policy briefs on  Gaps and Opportunities in Legislative Frameworks about child marriage, Domesticating the SADC Model Law, Challenges in Implementing Domestic Laws, and the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage and Ending Child Marriages in Eastern and Southern Africa: A Multi-Sectoral Approach.

More recently, our work has explored ‘Addressing emerging drivers and strengthening protection for children in marriage in Eastern and Southern Africa’. 

These policy recommendations recognise that child marriage does not occur in isolation. Climate change, economic insecurity, migration, conflict, humanitarian crises, and the growing influence of technology continue to create new vulnerabilities for children. 

Addressing these challenges requires stronger laws, effective implementation, adequate financing, accessible services, community engagement, and meaningful participation of children and young people in decision-making processes. They also identify measures to strengthen protection for children already in marriage.

Priorities for the next decade

The tenth anniversary of the SADC Model Law on child marriage represents both a celebration and a call to action. It is a moment to reflect on achievements while renewing our collective commitment to ensure that every child can grow from child marriage and enjoy their full rights and potential. 

As we commemorate this important milestone, Equality Now calls upon:

• SADC Member States to accelerate the domestication, implementation, enforcement, monitoring, and resourcing of laws aligned with the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage.
• Parliamentarians to strengthen legislative oversight, champion accountability, and ensure adequate budget allocations for child protection and prevention programmes.
• Governments and justice institutions to close legal loopholes, strengthen birth and marriage registration systems, and improve access to justice and support services for survivors and children already in marriage.
• National Human Rights Institutions and civil society organizations to continue monitoring implementation, documenting progress, and amplifying the voices of affected children and communities.
• Development partners to invest in evidence-based, child- and survivor-centred, and gender-responsive programmes that address the root causes of child marriage.
• Communities, traditional leaders, and faith leaders should challenge harmful social norms and support positive alternatives that protect children’s rights.
• Young people and survivor-led movements should continue leading advocacy efforts and shaping solutions that reflect their lived experiences.

Conclusion

The 10th anniversary of the SADC Model Law is not just a celebration; it is a renewed commitment. Together, we must ensure that every girl in Southern Africa can grow up free from child marriage, with the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive. 

Equality Now remains committed to promoting the domestication and implementation of SADC Model Law on Child Marriage and contribute to efforts to strengthen legal frameworks to prevent, respond to, and support survivors’ interventions to end child marriage. The next decade must be one of accelerated action, stronger accountability, and lasting impact. The time to act is now.

Read more about our work to end child marriage and our Recommendations to SADC Heads of State and Government on Strengthening Protection and Support Mechanisms for Survivors of Child Marriage.