The Social and Behaviour Change to Reduce and End Child Marriage study evaluates a pilot project in Kailahun District aimed at reducing child marriage and teenage pregnancy through community-led interventions and advocacy. Funded by Save the Children and implemented from October 2021 to September 2023, the project focused on engaging community leaders, including Paramount Chiefs, Sowei, and religious figures, to address cultural practices that perpetuate child marriage. Key activities included the development of local bylaws, community awareness campaigns, and advocacy at both district and national levels for the passage of laws to protect girls from early marriage.
The study highlights significant changes in both community attitudes and behaviors toward child marriage and teenage pregnancy. It found that the creation and enforcement of bylaws, supported by community leaders, helped deter child marriage and fostered greater accountability. Adolescent champions, especially girls who had previously experienced child marriage or pregnancy, played a critical role in advocating for change and engaging their peers in education and self-empowerment. Moreover, the project successfully encouraged the return of girls to school, offering a pathway out of early marriage and pregnancy through education and skills development.
Overall, the evaluation indicates that the ECM project effectively mobilized communities to take ownership of child marriage prevention, demonstrating the importance of local leadership in driving social change. While challenges remain, particularly around the inconsistent enforcement of national laws, the project has laid a strong foundation for scaling up these efforts to other districts in Sierra Leone. The study underscores the importance of sustained community engagement and policy advocacy to end child marriage and improve the future prospects of adolescent girls.