Ambassadors discuss the cost of inaction on child marriage in Mozambique
Ambassadors reaffirmed their commitment to supporting national efforts and investing in solutions that address the root causes of child marriage, including poverty, gender inequality and harmful social norms.
On 2 June, UNICEF Mozambique and the British High Commission convened a high-level briefing with Ambassadors from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland, together with young “Ambassadors for a Day” from Gaza, Sofala, Inhambane, Maputo Province, Manica and Maputo City, to present new evidence on the cost of inaction on child marriage.
Opening the discussion, UNICEF highlighted that child marriage is not only a violation of human rights, but also a major development and economic challenge for Mozambique. UNICEF called on partners to connect evidence with action and strengthen investments to accelerate progress for girls.
The study findings underscored the scale of the challenge. Child marriage costs Mozambique more than 4 per cent of its economy each year, equivalent to approximately MZN 42.4 billion, driven largely by impacts on health and education. Girls who marry early are more likely to drop out of school, face health risks and remain trapped in cycles of poverty, with the greatest burden falling on rural and poorer communities.
The participation of the young Ambassadors for a Day brought powerful perspectives to the dialogue. Their voices reinforced the importance of ensuring that adolescents are heard in the policies and programmes that affect their lives. They also showed the critical role young people can play in inspiring other girls to stay in school, pursue their dreams and claim their rights.
Ambassadors reaffirmed their commitment to supporting national efforts and investing in solutions that address the root causes of child marriage, including poverty, gender inequality and harmful social norms.
UNICEF expresses its sincere appreciation to all partners for their continued collaboration, with special thanks to the partners of the Global Programme to End Child Marriage. Their support is critical to driving sustainable change to prevent and end child marriage in Mozambique.
