Written by Sophia Papastavrou, PhD., Gender Technical Specialist, and Francesca Olusola, Manager, Grants, World Vision Canada
Mozambique has made progress in ensuring equal opportunities for all, but early and forced marriage, adolescent pregnancy and limited decision-making opportunities continue to disproportionately affect women and girls. According to UNICEF, nearly half of all girls marry before the age of 18. Early forced marriage and adolescent pregnancy often cut girls’ education and dreams short.
Every girl can realize her rights
The Every Girl Can (EGC) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by World Vision Canada, World Vision Mozambique, Action Aid Mozambique and HOPEM, addresses the underlying factors contributing to early forced marriages and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). It focuses on reducing gender inequality, poverty and poor sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRH) outcomes for adolescent girls and young women.
Every Girl Can works with both government and local communities to create a safe and supportive environment where girls can thrive. It ensures that policies, resources and social support systems uphold their rights and opportunities. The project empowers girls with knowledge about their rights, boosts their self-confidence to resist harmful practices and provides skills development to help them become financially independent, reducing their risk of early forced marriage and violence.
In regions like Nampula Province, where these challenges are prevalent, EGC is helping to drive systemic and cultural change. The project utilizes Citizen Voice and Action (CVA), a local-level social accountability approach. Adolescent girls and young women are equipped with advocacy skills to identify gaps in implementation of SGBV, health and education policies and demand accountability from service providers (health care centres, Ministry of Health, social welfare, schools). Through CVA, participants develop leadership skills, actively champion their rights and push for a safer and more equitable community.
“Girls are capable” of leading community action: Fusia’s story
Fusia, 16, is the president of her local CVA group. Through the support of EGC, she learned about her rights, acquired life skills and built confidence. Fusia joined the CVA group because she was passionate about making a change in her community.
After learning how to engage with decision-makers, she and her peers brought their concerns about the prevalence of early forced marriages to the government, prompting the Department of Social Welfare to intervene. Beyond this, the group has worked with service providers in the Ministry of Education to make schools safer and more inclusive. Their efforts include adding safe and sanitary bathrooms, well-lit pathways, extra classrooms and a secure play area for children.
Fusia is a role model. She inspires other girls to pursue their dreams and resist societal pressures. She firmly believes that “girls are capable.” With the right support, every girl has the potential to be an agent of change. Her dream is to see her community free from violence and a place where children’s rights are fully upheld.
Fusia presents action plans from her group to a service provider. (Photo credit: World Vision Mozambique)
Championing change in her community: Julte’s story
Julte, 16, participated in the EGC project and received education on gender equality, her rights and alternatives to early marriage. She was inspired to become an advocate in her community.
Now, Julte leads peer-to-peer education sessions, raising awareness about the dangers of early marriage, and promoting the importance of education and access to health services for other children in her community. Her efforts have contributed to a shift in community perceptions about early marriages.
Fusia and Julte with other CVA advocates after an advocacy visit. (Photo credit: World Vision Mozambique)
A call to action
Fusia and Julte’s stories highlight the importance of supporting girls' action on issues that impact their lives. Every girl can lead change in her community. They also underscore how organizations, like World Vision, can use comprehensive approaches to end early forced marriages and SGBV. Girls’ empowerment, education, community engagement and policy reform are essential components in fostering a safer and more equitable world for girls and women.
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