Across Africa, the promise of childhood is still too often cut short. Despite decades of progress, the practice of child marriages continues to cast a long shadow over the lives of millions of young girls, depriving them of their rights, their potential, and their futures. As the African Union Champion on Ending Child marriages, and on behalf of the Republic of Zambia, I am deeply honoured to present this report, as a strategic blueprint and an urgent call to action to eradicate one of the continent’s most persistent violations of human rights.

The African Union has long recognised that the elimination of child marriages is not only a moral imperative, but also a prerequisite for the realisation of Africa’s aspirations for Agenda 2063. This is not an optional endeavour; it is a fundamental obligation for all Member States, rooted in our regional, continental and international commitments to protect the rights of the child, achieve gender equality, and foster inclusive social and economic development.

The path to ending child marriages is neither straightforward nor short. It demands unwavering resolve, innovative strategies, and the courage to confront deeply rooted social norms. In Zambia, we are leading from the front, translating political will into concrete action. We have strengthened our legislative framework, launched nationwide campaigns to keep girls in school, and are integrating child marriages prevention into our national development and strategic plans. We are demonstrating that progress is possible when leadership is committed and accountable.

This report is both a testament to the progress made and a sober reflection on the road ahead. It lays bare the reality that, while significant strides have been achieved, in law, policy, and advocacy, these have not yet fully bridged the gap between aspiration and reality. Too many girls remain at risk, despite the reduction in prevalence of child marriages in some Member States, including my own country Zambia’s that dropped from 29 percent recorded in 2018 to 23.9 percent in 2024.1 Therefore, this report must serve as a clarion call for a whole-of-society approach.

Governments alone cannot solve this crisis. We call upon traditional and religious leaders, the private sector, civil society, media, communities, families, girls and boys to become champions in their own spheres of influence. Every sector has a critical role to play in changing mindsets and creating protective environments for our children.

Critically, our ambitions must be matched by adequate resources. We must dramatically scale up investment in proven solutions: girls’ education, adolescent health services, social protection programmes for vulnerable families, and community-led initiatives. I urge my fellow leaders, international partners, and financial institutions to prioritise and increase funding for this cause. Without dedicated and scaled-up resources, our declarations will remain mere words on paper.

We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make today will shape the destiny of generations to come. It is incumbent upon us to meet this moment with urgency and unity. We must invest in girls, safeguard their rights, and create environments where their voices are heard, and their dreams can take root. This report provides a roadmap for action. It highlights the need for context-specific, holistic approaches that harness the power of education, economic opportunity, legal reform, and cultural transformation, including harnessing male agency in the drive against harmful practices such as child marriages. It calls for robust partnerships at every level, from the grassroots to the highest echelons of government, and a shared determination to ensure that no child is left behind.

Let us rise together to fulfil the vision of an Africa where every girl is free to chart her own course, unbound by the constraints of child marriages. This is our shared responsibility, our collective legacy, and our binding obligation to the future.

H.E. Hakainde Hichilema
AU Champion on Ending Child Marriage in Africa