A three day regional workshop organised by the African Union (AU) for journalists all over Africa has been held in Accra. The aim of the advocacy workshop was for an Increased Advocacy to Ending Child Marriage through engagement of the media and for journalists to be sensitized on the need to campaign to end child marriage in Africa following the African Union launch of child marriage in 2014 to end child marriage on the continent. The workshop which was held at the La Palm Beach Hotel witnessed the presence of The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Otiko Afisa Djaba.

Countries present included Ghana, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, Gambia, Ethiopia, Togo, Burkina Faso, Mali and Cameroun. The minister said child marriage remained one of the serious child protection issues plaguing Africa, therefore we must work together to protect and promote the well-being of all children.

Journalists were advised to prioritize issues related to child marriage and also make provision to educate people about the harmful effects of child marriage. On the last day of the workshop, journalists were divided into countries to draw their own strategic workplan for a year for massive awareness creation on child marriage.

Victoria Quaynor