Protecting Rights and Unleashing Potential for Girls: The Exit Report of the Former African Union Goodwill Ambassador on Ending Child Marriages

Child marriage has major detrimental impacts on millions of girls annually. According to UNICEF, 650 million girls and women who are alive today are thought to have gotten married before turning eighteen.. Of the 41 countries worldwide that have child “marriage” rates of over 30%, all but 11 of these are in Africa.

What’s inside the report?

• The experiences and achievements of the former African Union Goodwill Ambassador on ending child marriages during the term of her mandate from 2014 to 2022, as well as challenges and how she overcame them, including providing recommendations to the next mandate holder.
• Trends, issues, and promising practices that the AU GWA observed throughout her eight-year tenure.
• Relevance of the mandate and how it can be improved further. The report acts as a baseline and guide for the incoming AU GWA, highlighting the strategies that worked and those that should be improved upon to eradicate child “marriage.” 

Key recommendations

The African Union Commission should sustain the role of Goodwill Ambassador and consider technically and financially resourcing the Goodwill Ambassador role, especially when it comes to engagements with the broader African governments, civil society, traditional and community leaders, and other key stakeholders.

Organizations in Africa should join forces with the Ambassador in public awareness campaigns and advocacy work by using their networks and resources, including more young women as co-champions, and community or national ambassadors.

The African Union should develop clearer reporting mechanisms and set standards to promote transparency and accountability in work on ending child marriage.