Support youth to stop child marriage in Jordan and Morocco

Equitas has partnered with Montreal-based designer Frank And Oak to promote more inclusive communities. Certified B Corporation, Frank And Oak are committed to addressing social and environmental challenges in order to be a socially responsible company. For Frank And Oak co-founders, Ethan Song and Hicham Ratnani, both first- and second-generation immigrants, values ​​of inclusion, equality and sustainability have always been important, as they are for Equitas.
Each year, close to 50 000 children under eighteen are married in Jordan and Morocco.

Equitas works with local partners to support youth-led initiatives to prevent child marriage.  

When a child marries, they are more likely to: 

• Live in poverty 
• Quit school
• Be isolated from family and friends
• Experience domestic violence 

Youth-led actions in Jordan and Morocco have been successful in raising awareness in various communities.  

In Jordan, our local partner Ruwwad works to redress problems prioritized by members of disenfranchised communities through education, youth volunteerism, and grassroots organizing. Youth supported by Ruwwad and Equitas developed a community action that addresses the harmful consequences of child marriage. As a part of this actions, youth partnered with Imams who condemned child marriage during Friday prayers, reaching more than 1 500 community members. Imams lead prayers, provide community support and spiritual advice, and as such are influencers in the community and strong allies in the fight against child marriage.   

In Morocco, the youth-led community action “I am a child and not a bride” is aimed at preventing child marriage in impoverished communities, where many children are married off between the age of 12 and 17 years. The community action mobilizes youth from schools in the area to raise awareness on the harms of child marriage and encourage girls to stay in school. At the national level, the youth engage with major stakeholders to promote the initiative and become active members of the national campaign against early marriage. 

By donating, you can help youth stand up for children’s basic rights as they: 

• Raise awareness amongst young girls and their parents 
• Engage with influencers and decision-makers
• Advocate for policy change 

We believe that youth have the power to create change and build a better world for all children. 

Help us make this vision a reality.