The Global UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Ending Child Marriage was launched in the Tigray Region on October 20 at a one day high level event.  The programme will be implemented in 3 districts in the region in the coming three years.

Making an opening remark on the occasion, H.E. Demitu Hambissa, Minister of Women and Children Affairs, said that preventing harmful traditional practices, especially child marriage and female genital mutilation is crucial in unleashing potential of women to realize country's development vision in the Growth and Transformation Plan. She called on all stakeholders to work together in earnest to realize Ethiopia's international commitment to end Child Marriage and female genital mutilation by 2025.

Mr. Rakoto Victor, Deputy Representative of UNFPA indicated on his part at the event that prevention of child marriage is one of the key activities in realizing girls’ and women’s empowerment and bringing about gender equality. “The implementation of an evidence-based and multi-sectoral program reinforced by a strong national commitment and action is pivotal in the effort at ending child marriage,” he noted.

The Global UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Ending Child Marriage will be implemented in Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella and Tigray Regions over a period of three years. The programme is believed to strengthen the effort Ethiopia is making in realizing the international commitment it made in eliminating child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation from the country by 2025.

Meanwhile, Minister Demitu paid a visit to a project in the Kolla Tembein district that has been supported by UNFPA over the last three years in ending child marriage through community mobilization, particularly through the engagement of women development groups. She held discussions at length with members of women development groups and adolescent girls participating in the project. Model households drawn from the Kola Tembein, Hintalo Wajirat, and Raya and Azebo Distrits - the three intervention distrits of the UNFPA supported project on ending child marriage through community mobilization - who made special contributions to the effort received prizes from Minister Demitu and Mr. Victor during the launching ceremony of the Global Joint Programme.