Early marriages in Niger

13.09.2013 - Around the world, one in nine girls marries before the age of
15 years. The situation is even worse in Niger, one of the countries in which Enfants du Monde operates: one in three girls marries before the age of 15 years.

This high rate of child marriages has a particularly adverse effect on the education of girls. Once married, girls no longer attend school. Enfants du Monde is enabling especially girls to go to school, providing a quality education and motivating girls to finish their studies.

Maïmouna, a 14-year girl who lives in Niamey, tells us her story:
"When I was 13 years old, a man came and asked to marry me. My mother agreed, but I didn't want to", she explained. Maïmouna was in her third year at a school supported by Enfants du Monde. Second in her class, she could already see herself going to junior high school and becoming a police officer. "When I heard the news, I cried."

Maïmouna knew that if she were to get married, that would mean the end of her dreams. Fortunately, she managed to convince her mother not to let her drop out of school. "Now my mother is proud of me. And she knows that if I have a job, I'll find a husband. But that will happen later, after I finish junior high."

With 360 Swiss francs per year, you make it possible for a girl like Maïmouna to attend school for a year: donate now