Child Marriage: Victim of Reported Case in UER to Receive Support Soon.

BOLGATANGA: Stakeholders working to end child marriages in the Upper East Region are working tirelessly to ensure victims, especially girls who have suffered such circumstances, are supported to remain focused in their identified skill areas. Two cases were reported in the region last year and while stakeholders worked to sensitize them, there were plans in place to help sustain them in identified fields of learning.According to Ghana News Agency, the Child Marriage Unit of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has the primary objective to increase awareness, enhance knowledge on the dangers of child marriages, and ensure gender equality. This is done by ensuring improved linkages to safeguard victims delivered from early marriages, ensuring they either remain in school or learn a trade.Mr. James Twene, Upper East Regional Director in charge of women, spoke to the Ghana News Agency as part of a follow-up to early marriage cases recorded in the region. He mentioned that some basic support is needed for one of the girls to remain in skill training. "After a visit to one of the victims, we have taken note of the needs of one of the girls and we are working with partners to support and sustain her in the course of her skill training which has started," he said.The Director stated that although there had not been funding this year, a follow-up on boys' clubs formed in thirty-six communities in six districts of the region was made, aiming to check their activities and child marriage prevention plans. He said only one case in the Bolgatanga Municipal was awaiting intervention, with partners working to ensure its success. Mr. Twene added that his office was in touch with the leaders of the boys' clubs on their plans and progress made.In 2014, the government of Ghana accepted the call to end child marriage in the country in accordance with international conventions and declarations and has taken strategies to do so across the country.