The prevalence of early and forced marriage in Amhara Region, Ethiopia, condemn girls to lives marked by little or no education, poor health, increased vulnerability to HIV, low income and the inability to control life decisions. CARE is reaching 5,000 married girls, aged 14-19, empowering them to save, generate income, learn, access health services, and make informed decisions about financial resources, assets and sexual/reproductive health with the support of their partners and families.
Amhara Region, Ethiopia, has one of the highest rates of early and forced marriage in the country, with 47.8% of girls married by the age of 15, and 74.4% married by the age of 18. The prevalence of early and forced marriage condemns girls to lives marked by little or no education, poor health, increased vulnerability to HIV, low income and the inability to control life decisions. CARE will improve the economic and sexual/reproductive health (SRH) outcomes for 5,000 married girls, aged 14-19.
CARE, in partnership with the Nike Foundation & ICRW, will form girls' "saving/loan" & "SRH groups", in which girls will have safe spaces and are empowered to save, generate income, learn, access health services, and make informed decisions about financial resources, assets and sexual/reproductive health with the support of their partners and families. CARE will work in with decision-makers in girls' lives - husbands, parents, community leaders and healthworkers - to further girls' empowerment.
Given the multiple barriers that limit girls' economic empowerment and wellness in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in Amhara Region, Ethiopia, this project seeks to bring measurable, positive change in the economic and SRH of married girls, aged 14-19, in 25 towns and two districts of South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region. The project will also include rigorous research to address key knowledge gaps in the field of adolescent girl programming, specifically for married girls.
