Binti Day Campaign Launch

Habari za asubuhi!

It is a proud moment today, looking around the room, and seeing all of the commitment and expertise here in support of the Binti campaign to end child marriage in Tanzania.

As Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Tanzania, it is my privilege to lead and coordinate the work of all of the UN agencies in country as we all work together to support Tanzania to achieve its development goals in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As the UN in Tanzania, we are committed to doing what we can to help end child marriage in the country.

Unfortunately, about 3 in 10 women in Tanzania got married as children. This is 3 in 10 too many. In Tanzania, the 1971 Law of Marriage Act currently allows girls to marry at 14 with court consent and 15 with parental consent. The legal age for boys is 18. The high court in Tanzania has deemed this to be unconstitutional, but there is work to do for the Parliament to amend the law.

We do hope this happens soon as child marriage hinders girls’ empowerment. Child brides have less access to resources for decision-making and are less able to advocate for their well-being. Child marriage also deprives young girls of their right to acquire the education or vocational skills they to enter the adult labour force and pushes them further into poverty.

For the future of Tanzania, it is imperative that every citizen is able to realise their full potential. For children to grow up in a loving home, with good nutrition and protection. For children to be able to go to school and pursue a university degree if they so wish. To be able to find fulfilling and meaningful work in a career of their choosing. And to be able to fall in love and, if they so choose, get married and start a family.

The future of Tanzania will be bright, if every citizen is free to pursue this life.

So, I thank you for all coming today as a sign of commitment for Binti, not just the campaign, but for every Binti – every daughter – of Tanzania.

The Binti campaign is a call to action; it urges parents and communities to delay marriages for their daughters below 18 years and encourages them to support their girls to complete their education and acquire knowledge and skills that will equip them for a prosperous future.

Signing the Binti campaign pledge is a simple but definitive action everyone should take as a token of their commitment to stopping child marriage in Tanzania.

I have pledged and I encourage each of us here today to do the same. The entire UN system is supporting the campaign and young people, and I encourage each organization here today to also put their full support behind Binti. Leverage your networks, your platforms, and your contacts. Let’s get as many pledges as possible – for Binti.

Thank you for your time today and thank you “Binti” for inviting me.

Asanteni sana!