The Child Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) Endline Study in Kailahun District assesses the impact of interventions aimed at addressing child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and gender inequality. Commissioned by Save the Children, this study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of the CEFM program, which seeks to empower adolescents (ages 10-18) to make informed decisions regarding marriage and pregnancy. The project adopted a multi-sectoral, participatory approach to tackle the root causes of CEFM by engaging both girls and boys, along with their communities, in challenging traditional beliefs, promoting education, and enhancing adolescent health and empowerment.
The evaluation, which employed both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, highlights key areas of progress, such as an increased awareness of child marriage's negative impacts, particularly in reducing adolescent pregnancy rates. By engaging community leaders and local government officials, the project facilitated the creation of gender-sensitive policies and interventions that empowered adolescents to stay in school and delay marriage. However, challenges related to deeply ingrained socio-cultural norms and limited enforcement of laws still persist, requiring continued advocacy and community engagement.
Overall, the study shows that the CEFM program has contributed to meaningful changes in attitudes and behaviors toward child marriage in Kailahun. It emphasizes the need for sustained interventions that focus on both individual empowerment and systemic change, alongside strengthening local governance and education systems to combat child marriage and improve adolescent health outcomes. The findings will inform future programming and policy recommendations aimed at ending child marriage across Sierra Leone.