As we described in our last blog, the Community Girls Network – which brings together current AdAmi participants, alumni and other young mothers in their community – have been using their newfound knowledge about girls’ rights to support other young women who are experiencing exploitation or abuse. Here are three of the recent cases where they have stepped in and spoken up.

Preventing a Child Marriage

When Nasi became pregnant, the father of the child refused to take responsibility until Nasi’s family intervened. Without asking Nasi, they decided that the couple should be married, despite Nasi being under the age of 18.

When the Community Girls Network heard of Nasi’s situation, they took it up with the Town Chief. The Chief warned the families that child marriage is a crime, and he urged them to keep Nasi in school instead. When her parents still refused, the Town Chief reported them to the police, which ensured the marriage did not take place. Now, Nasi’s relationship with her parents is improving, and she will be free to raise her baby with their support and that of the other young mothers she met through the Community Girls Network.

*Community Girls Network leader Musu (right) with a pregnant young woman being supported by the network*

Getting a Father to Take Responsibility

When a 16-year-old girl became pregnant by a boy at school, he denied being the father and it was only she who had to drop out of school. The Community Girls Network tried to intercede – they brought the two families together to try to get the boy’s family to agree to support the girl. When they refused, the girls from the Network took the case to the community Chief, and from there it went to the Family Support Unit of the police. The authorities were able to get the boy’s family to accept responsibility. When the Community Girls Network learned about their change of heart, Musu – one of the leaders of the network– said: “We felt good and proud. We danced and had fun that night to celebrate.”

*Creating a supportive environment so young mothers can return to school is a priority for the AdAmi Project*

Helping a Girl Return to School

The Community Girls Network came across a girl who had had to drop out of school because her stepmother refused to pay the fees. The stepmother’s own biological children were able to go to school, but she made her stepdaughter stay at home to clean the house and cook. As well as meeting with the girl to keep her spirits high, the Community Girls Network found enough money from community members to buy her a uniform and books so she could resume her studies. “She is now back at school and doing really well,” Musu told us.

Wider benefits of the Network

Even by simply speaking with girls in difficult situations, members of the Community Girls Network are helping them make more positive life choices. “When I had my child I almost dropped out of school,” Feremusu told us. “But the leaders of the Community Girls Network talked to me and encouraged me to continue my education.”

Leaders within the community are also taking notice of the Community Girls Network’s advocacy and activism. “At first I did not take them seriously”, admits one Town Chief. “But their commitment made me realise they were serious and determined to create change. They are role models and other girls now want to be like them.” “When the police see the girls taking up responsibility”, Miatta, one of the mentors on the AdAmi programme told us, “they really admire them and want to help them with their cases.”

We are so proud to see these young changemakers at work, making a difference to other young mothers on an individual basis, but also advocating for girls’ rights on a wider scale.

The Community Girls Network Advocacy in Action