Provincial Action Plans for Combating Early and Forced Marriages are Disseminated

Afyonkarahisar, Ardahan, Edirne and Siirt were also included in the 'Action Plan for Combating Early and Forced Marriages', which was put into effect in 17 provinces under the coordination of the Ministry of Family and Social Services. In order to provide support to women and girls in these provinces, training is given to the personnel on 'Supporting Provincial Action Plans for Combating Early and Forced Marriages' with the contribution of the United Nations, UNICEF and non-governmental organizations.

2017 more provinces are added to the Provincial Action Plans for Combating Early and Forced Marriages, which was put into practice in 4 by the Ministry of Family and Social Services to prevent early marriages.

Field visits were carried out

In line with the government's efforts to prevent early marriages, with the participation of all relevant parties, including public institutions and organizations, universities and non-governmental organizations, the Ministry of Family and Social Services continues to work in provinces with high rates of early and forced marriages.

In this context, in Ağrı, Aksaray, Bitlis, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Iğdır, Kahramanmaraş, Kars, Kilis, Mardin, Muş, Nevşehir, Niğde, Şanlıurfa, Van, Yozgat, based on the priority needs of the provinces, "Combating Early and Forced Marriages" Field visits were carried out to prepare the “Plans”.

During the field visits, interviews were held with the representatives of the relevant public institutions, and reports on early marriage were prepared and a special “Provincial Action Plan for Combating Early and Forced Marriage” was prepared for each province.

In the action plans of the provinces, “Scientific research on the causes, effects and prevention of early and forced marriages, conducting fieldwork for social awareness in regions where early marriages and forced marriages are common, preparing visual and written materials for different target groups, informing muhtars about the relevant legislation. Increasing the awareness and sensitivity of families through headmen and headmen, carrying out awareness-raising activities for students and parents, especially by counselors, organizing meetings with educated professional women who can be role models for young girls in the region, giving sermons and various activities on the disadvantages of early and forced marriages. studies were carried out.

decreased by 71 percent

As a result of the government's support and action plans implemented in the provinces, according to the data in the Marriage Statistics of 2021, marriages in the 16-17 age group decreased proportionally. While the rate of people who got married at the age of 2009-16 in 17 was 8,1 percent in total marriages, it decreased to 2021 percent in 2,3. Support was provided for girls to attend school, and families were provided with guidance.

To be implemented in 4 more provinces

While the Ministry included Afyonkarahisar, Edirne, Ardahan and Siirt in the Provincial Action Plan for Combating Early and Forced Marriages after 17 provinces; A total of 21 provinces, with the support of UNICEF, UN Women, UNFPA, 'Provincial action on combating early and forced marriages' to the staff working at the Family and Social Services Provincial Deputy Directors, Women's Guesthouse Managers, ŞÖNİM Managers, Provincial Directorate Women's Services Unit and Social Service Centers Contact Points for Combating Violence. 'supporting the plans' training was started.

In the trainings, how to prepare the provincial action plan is explained.

In the training programs, the basic concepts of early marriages, the legal, health and social service dimensions of early marriages, good practice examples from our country and the world, preparation of the Provincial Action Plan, monitoring and evaluation processes are explained.

With the trainings, it is aimed to update the "Provincial Action Plans for Combating Early and Forced Marriages", to accelerate the studies and to increase the capacities of the professionals working in the Contact Points for Combating Violence, especially in the Social Service Centers.