From Theory to Practice: Utilizing the Joint General Comment to Intensify Collective Efforts towards Ending Child, Early and Forced Marriage in Africa

Being deliberate, grounded and guided by collective action is the only way to deliver for women and girls. It is the surest way for Africa to emancipate her girls from violations such as child, early and forced marriages.
Increasing political will to end end Child, Early and Forced Marriages (CEFM) is a first step towards ending these child rights violations. Resourcing must be seen as a fundamental underpinning factor without which the vision to end CEFM cannot be realized. Efforts to end CEFM must be backed by sufficient resources, including financial, technical and human resources. There is growing debate regarding how Africa can source financial resources to fund its’ development agenda.
Possible sources could come from progressive tax systems that curb tax evasions, ensure fair collection and equitable
distribution of taxes to fund development. According to the African Union, on a global level, Africa loses between $80 – 100 billion annually through Illicit Financial Flows. By curbing these flows, it would mean there is a percentage of recovered resources that could be opened up for use to invest in the elimination of Child,
Early and Forced Marriage.
This Quick Guide From Theory To Practice: Utilizing the Joint General Comment to Intensify Collective Efforts towards Ending Child, Early and Forced Marriage in Africa is a practical advocacy tool to enhance the understanding of the Joint General Comment and how it can be used as a strategy for collective advocacy to end Child, Early and Forced Marriages (CEFM).