The recently published Collaborative Insights report, “Localization for Early Childhood Development and Child Protection in Guatemala," highlights early marriages, early unions, and early pregnancies—alongside sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence against girls—as some of the root causes of deeply ingrained inequality and social exclusion in Guatemala. In 2023, nearly 70,000 children between the ages of 10 and 17 were married or in unions, with 79% (55,309) being girls. Despite the significant underreporting of cases, the government of Guatemala suggests that unwanted pregnancies and early childbearing among girls aged 10–14 are correlated with sexual violence (SVET, 2019). Early marriage and early unions in Guatemala are also associated with a lack of financial independence and a lack of bodily autonomy and family planning choices. Early pregnancies put girls' health at risk, hinder their educational outcomes, and limit their access to dignified livelihood opportunities. These challenges can also negatively impact their children's well-being, perpetuating economic and social exclusion cycles.
This webinar fostered an open space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and learning among organizations working to amplify girls' voices in initiatives to address gender-based violence and influence how duty-bearers respond to its various forms.
Building on the Collaborative Insights report’s intersectional analysis of violence against women, girls, and children, the webinar explored effective strategies to prevent violence against children, including approaches that employ a “whole family” or “two-generation” approach, and considered the regional outlook and government commitments emerging from the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children. Held as part of the global community’s observation of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence from November 25 to December 10, this webinar aimed to bridge the gap between policy and practice related to the prevention of early marriages, early unions, and early pregnancies, as well as addressing sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence against girls.
This event was co-sponsored by the Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children's Issues and the Georgetown Americas Institute.
The webinar was held in English and Spanish, with simultaneous interpretation.
