The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Egypt and the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood signed on April 14 an annual workplan as part of their joint continuous efforts to protect the rights of girls, particularly with respect to child marriage.

The workplan aligns with national priorities to end child marriage through strengthening girls’ agency and human capital, enabling them to live freely from harmful practices, and building the capacities of institutions to create an enabling environment and bolstering national systems to provide quality reproductive health services and legal protection for girls at risk of or affected by child marriage.

The workplan was signed by Dr. Sahar al-Sonbaty,  President of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, and Mr. Yves Sassenrath, UNFPA Representative in Egypt. 

Dr. Sahar El-Sonbaty pointed out that the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood's partnership with UNFPA comes within the framework of their joint efforts to address one of the most prominent challenges facing girls which is child marriage. Child marriage, she said exposes girls to a range of risks, including dropping out of school, early pregnancy and its associated serious health complications, domestic violence, and economic exploitation.

“Our partnership with the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood aims to strengthen girls’ agency to enable them to make informed choices and realize their full potential,” Sassenrath said, “our goal is to create a zero-tolerance environment towards all forms of harmful practices against women and girls.”

The workplan will be implemented by the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood with technical and financial support from UNFPA.

Child marriage threatens girls’ lives and health and prevents them from reaching their full potential. If married early, girls often become pregnant while still adolescents, increasing the risk of complications in pregnancy or childbirth – the leading cause of death among older adolescent girls. 

UNFPA promotes policies, programs and legislation designed to end child marriage. UNFPA supports evidence-based, rights-based, girl-centered investments that empower adolescent girls with the information, skills and services they need to be healthy, educated and safe.