Child marriage continues to shatter the lives of millions of girls globally, with over 12 million underage marriages occurring each year. Despite child marriage laws and growing awareness, systemic failures—including inadequate law enforcement, cultural norms, and economic hardships—perpetuate this harmful practice. Reported by The Telegraph, the stories of Mozambique’s child brides exemplifies these structural challenges and the urgent need for a collective response.

Constância’s story

Constância’s mother arranged her engagement at just 13 years old. However, her mother assured her that she would be allowed to finish school before marrying. But the 25-year-old man grew impatient over time and Constância’s mother conceded to the marriage one year later.

Constância described the pain of losing their childhood:

“It was bad. I didn’t want to leave my father and I thought I wouldn’t be able to study, or see my friends or play football anymore,” … “Every day was difficult for me. All I could think about was going home.”

Thanks to a friend from school, Constância got in touch with the International Child Development Programme (ICDP), a Norway-based NGO. The NGO informed her parents that child marriage was against the law and convinced them to end the marriage.

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