Dear Mama,

Child marriage is a violation of children’s human rights. Despite being prohibited by international law, conventions and treaties, it continues to rob millions of children under the age of 18, primarily girls, around the world of their childhood. This is still a practice in Tanzania.

According to the Tanzania Demographic Health Survey (TDHS) 2015/16, one in three girls in Tanzania marries before their 18th birthday.  This forces girls and young women out of education and into a life of poor prospects, with an increased risk of violence, abuse, ill health or early death.

As the world commemorates International Women's month, women’s rights activists and citizens from across Tanzania and the East Africa Community, salute your 1 year as the first female president of United Republic of Tanzania and encourage you to do everything in your power to end child marriage in Tanzania.

One of your biggest legacies as a first female president will be to bring dignity, respect, and security for women and girls in Tanzania and all over the world, and the first step towards this is to direct the Government through the Prime Minister and the Attorney General within this women’s month to correct the complained anomalies within the provisions of section 13 and 17 of the Law of Marriage Act and in lieu thereof put 18 years as the eligible age for marriage in respect of both boys and girls. This will help to remove the ambiguity of the law, protect our young girls from early marriage and ultimately ensure Equality and Women’s Rights for Sustainable Development.

Women, girls, and child marriage victims are counting on you!

With hope and determination,

WGNRR AFRICA

#EndChildMarriageTZ

#TooYoungToMarry

#1in3AreTooMany