The key focus areas of this initiative include education and girls’ empowerment, specifically supporting the enrolment and retention of girls in school and addressing social and economic drivers of child marriage; and the transformation of discriminatory social norms by engaging traditional and religious leaders, male allies, women-led organizations, and community structures to promote accountability and inclusive practices that prevent early marriage and support girls’ education.

The initiative aims to increase the retention of girls in school in targeted communities, helping them delay marriage and reach their full potential, while simultaneously promoting the adoption of social norms and practices among men, boys, women, and girls that prevent child marriage. The dual focus targets the most entrenched drivers of child marriage, including limited opportunities for girls and harmful social norms, through a culturally grounded, community-owned approach in the target districts of Mulanje and Dedza.