By RFPosted on 07-07-2019Modified on 07-07-2019 at 00:43

In Burkina Faso, one in ten girls is married before the age of 15. The country has the fifth highest prevalence of child marriage in the world. It is to overcome the phenomenon that an awareness campaign will cross several cities in the country for weeks. The caravan was launched in the city of Léo on Friday, July 5, in west-central Burkina, in the presence of customary authorities who will also have their role to play.

At the age of 16, Poko had to flee the family home to escape an early marriage. His father had promised him to a man. " He already had two women , so I refused and I escaped, " she says.

In Burkina Faso, one in two girls is married before the age of 18. The government and UNICEF have just launched the "Do not Call Me" awareness caravan in the West Central region, where the phenomenon persists, according to Eric Somda, from the leadership. provincial family.

" Our services have registered complaints about child marriage. In 2017, we recorded 21 cases, in 2018, 26 cases, but there are those who really come to complain, "he said.

Like his majesty Leo Piô, customary chieftainship is used to raise awareness. " In rural areas, it's complicated. People think that by giving their young daughter, they will regenerate income. Now, no. I said that we end this because it has negative consequences for the person, "explains Leo Piô.

Torchbearer of this caravan, the famous musician artist Smarty, winner of the award Discovery RFI 2013, composed a song for the occasion and to help educate parents.

"To marry young girls very early is a loss of income for the country. You have girls who will not be trained. Our wish is that things change, not only in Burkina but throughout Africa, "he says.

This caravan of awareness against early marriage will travel in five cities in Burkina Faso.

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