The Stop Child Marriage Campaign is one of the flagship initiatives of Girls Empowerment Program and Network (GEPaN) Tanzania, dedicated to ending child marriage and protecting the rights of girls in Maasai communities across Longido District and other underserved areas of Tanzania. Since its launch in 2021, the campaign has reached thousands of girls, parents, community leaders, teachers, and local government authorities through awareness creation, education, advocacy, and community engagement. The campaign addresses the root causes of child marriage, including poverty, gender inequality, harmful cultural practices, and limited access to education. GEPaN believes that every girl has the right to complete her education, make informed decisions about her future, and live free from violence, discrimination, and exploitation.
Child marriage remains one of the greatest barriers to girls' education, health, economic empowerment, and leadership. Girls who marry before the age of 18 are more likely to:
Ending child marriage creates healthier families, stronger communities, and sustainable development.