The Youth Council for Development Alternatives (YCDA) is implementing the 100 Days Child Marriage Free Campaign as a focused community-led initiative to prevent child marriage and promote the rights, safety, and well-being of children and adolescents. The campaign aims to create sustained awareness, strengthen local vigilance, and mobilize collective action to ensure that every child can grow up free from early and forced marriage.

Child marriage remains a critical challenge that affects education, health, gender equality, and long-term development outcomes. Through this campaign, YCDA seeks to address the root causes of child marriage by working closely with children, families, community institutions, and local authorities.

Community-Driven Awareness and Action

The 100 Days Campaign will engage communities through awareness sessions, dialogue meetings, school-based activities, and youth-led campaigns. Special focus will be placed on empowering adolescents—especially girls—to understand their rights, build confidence, and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives.

Parents, community leaders, teachers, and frontline workers will be sensitized on the legal, social, and health consequences of child marriage, encouraging them to act as protectors and advocates for children’s rights within their communities.

Strengthening Local Systems and Accountability

The campaign will work to strengthen local child protection mechanisms by activating Child Protection Committees, youth groups, and village-level institutions. Clear referral pathways and community monitoring systems will be promoted to identify risks early and respond promptly to potential cases of child marriage.

By fostering collaboration with local governance structures and service providers, the campaign aims to create an enabling environment where prevention is prioritized and accountability is shared.

Building a Child Marriage Free Future

Beyond the 100-day period, the campaign aspires to create long-term behavioral change and community ownership. The initiative emphasizes resilience building, education continuity, and meaningful participation of children and youth as central strategies to sustain child marriage-free communities.

The 100 Days Child Marriage Free Campaign stands as a strong commitment by YCDA and its partners to safeguard childhood, uphold dignity, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment.