Girls and young Women's Advocacy Network - GYWAN

Girls and young Women's Advocacy Network - GYWAN đź’ˇ Creating safe futures through education, advocacy, Community Action, policy & partnerships
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Without accelerated action, millions more girls around the world could become child brides in the coming decade. This is...
05/06/2026

Without accelerated action, millions more girls around the world could become child brides in the coming decade. This is a reminder that progress cannot be taken for granted. The choices we make today will determine the future of millions of girls tomorrow.

Ending child marriage requires more than awareness. It demands stronger laws, increased investment in girls' education, community engagement, and sustained efforts to address the social and economic factors that place girls at risk.

At Girls and Young Women’s Advocacy Network (GYWAN), we remain committed to advocating for policies and actions that protect girls and promote their rights. Every girl deserves the opportunity to grow up safe, complete her education, and pursue her dreams without being forced into marriage.

The time to act is now. Together, we can build a future where every girl is empowered to make decisions about her own life and future.





Child marriage is often viewed as a problem affecting only certain countries or cultures. The reality is that it exists ...
01/06/2026

Child marriage is often viewed as a problem affecting only certain countries or cultures. The reality is that it exists in every region of the world, impacting millions of girls regardless of geography, religion, or economic status.

While the prevalence may vary from one place to another, the consequences remain the same. Child marriage can limit access to education, expose girls to health risks, increase vulnerability to violence, and reduce opportunities for personal and economic growth.

At Girls and Young Women’s Advocacy Network (GYWAN), we believe that ending child marriage requires a global commitment combined with local action. Communities, governments, civil society organizations, and families all have a role to play in protecting the rights and futures of girls.

Every girl deserves the opportunity to grow up safely, complete her education, and make informed decisions about her life and future.





On the 24th April, 2026 one of our members Fatima represented the Girls and Young Women Advocacy Network (GYWAN) at a on...
01/06/2026

On the 24th April, 2026 one of our members Fatima represented the Girls and Young Women Advocacy Network (GYWAN) at a one-day youth consultation held at Restless Development Sierra Leone (Kingharman Road, Red Pump, Freetown). The consultation brought together young people from different organizations to share their views so that our voices can be represented at an upcoming meeting in an international platform.

During the session, they were asked key questions around development partnership patterns, projects in our communities, what has worked well, and what has not worked well. As a group, we discussed a project titled “Transforming Lives and Building Resilience among Drug Addicts (Kush),” where we highlighted both the positive impact and the challenges faced in addressing substance abuse among young people.

We also had discussions on civic space and youth voice, emphasizing the need for more inclusive platforms where young people, especially girls and young women, can actively participate in decision-making processes.

Overall, it was an engaging and insightful consultation that gave us the opportunity to share our experiences and contribute to discussions that will be taken to an international level. I am proud to have represented GYWAN in such an important space says Fatima.

Girls who are married as children are often placed in vulnerable situations where they face a higher risk of intimate pa...
07/05/2026

Girls who are married as children are often placed in vulnerable situations where they face a higher risk of intimate partner violence. Many are denied the power to make decisions for themselves, leaving them exposed to fear, abuse, and isolation.

Child marriage is not only a violation of rights. It can also create long-term emotional, physical, and psychological harm that affects girls throughout their lives.

At Girls and Young Women’s Advocacy Network (GYWAN), we continue to advocate for the safety, dignity, and protection of every girl. No child should grow up in an environment shaped by violence, control, or fear.

Ending child marriage means creating safer communities where girls are respected, protected, and given the freedom to reach their full potential.




Complications during pregnancy and childbirth remain a serious risk for adolescent girls, especially those between the a...
01/05/2026

Complications during pregnancy and childbirth remain a serious risk for adolescent girls, especially those between the ages of 15 and 19. These are not distant statistics. They reflect the reality many young girls face when early marriage leads to early motherhood.

At this stage of life, their bodies are often not fully prepared for the demands of pregnancy, increasing the chances of life-threatening complications. This places both mother and child at risk and highlights the urgent need for prevention.

At Girls and Young Women’s Advocacy Network (GYWAN), we continue to advocate for the protection of girls’ health and rights by addressing the root causes of early marriage and promoting access to education and reproductive health information.

Protecting girls means giving them the chance to grow safely, make informed choices, and live healthy lives.

Early marriage often leads to early and repeated pregnancies, placing serious strain on the health and well-being of you...
24/04/2026

Early marriage often leads to early and repeated pregnancies, placing serious strain on the health and well-being of young girls. At a time when their bodies are still developing, many are faced with risks that can affect both mother and child.

These challenges are not only medical. They shape a girl’s future, limiting her ability to continue her education, pursue opportunities, and make decisions about her own life.

At Girls and Young Women’s Advocacy Network (GYWAN), we work to raise awareness on the impact of early marriage and support efforts that protect girls’ health and rights. Every girl deserves the chance to grow, make informed choices, and plan her future with dignity.

Ending child marriage is a step toward healthier communities and stronger generations.

Child marriage continues to disrupt the education of many girls. When a girl is married early, her chances of staying in...
20/04/2026

Child marriage continues to disrupt the education of many girls. When a girl is married early, her chances of staying in school are greatly reduced, limiting her knowledge, skills, and future opportunities.

Education is one of the strongest protections against early marriage. It gives girls the confidence to make informed choices and the ability to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

At Girls and Young Women’s Advocacy Network (GYWAN), we support efforts that keep girls in school and challenge practices that cut their education short. Every girl deserves the chance to learn without interruption and build a future on her own terms.

Protecting a girl’s right to education is a shared responsibility. When communities stand for education, they stand for progress.

Progress has been made in reducing child marriage over the past 25 years, but the pace remains slow. Too many girls are ...
14/04/2026

Progress has been made in reducing child marriage over the past 25 years, but the pace remains slow. Too many girls are still at risk, and at the current rate, the world may not meet the goal of ending child marriage by 2030.

This reminds us that progress alone is not enough. It must be steady, deliberate, and sustained. Laws, policies, and community actions need to work together to protect girls and uphold their rights.

At Girls and Young Women’s Advocacy Network (GYWAN), we continue to raise awareness, engage communities, and support initiatives that keep girls in school and free from early marriage.

The path forward requires commitment from all of us. When we invest in girls’ education, health, and leadership, we move closer to a future where every girl can live with dignity and choice.

Every year, millions of girls are pushed into marriage before they turn 18. Behind this number are real lives, interrupt...
10/04/2026

Every year, millions of girls are pushed into marriage before they turn 18. Behind this number are real lives, interrupted dreams, and lost opportunities.

Child marriage limits education, affects health, and reduces a girl’s chance to build an independent future. It often places her in situations where she has little voice over her own life.

At Girls and Young Women’s Advocacy Network (GYWAN), we believe every girl deserves time to grow, learn, and choose her own path. Ending child marriage is not only about protection. It is about giving girls the chance to become who they are meant to be.

Communities, families, and leaders all have a role to play. When we keep girls in school, support their ambitions, and speak against harmful practices, change becomes possible.

Together, we can create a future where every girl is safe, educated, and empowered.

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