In northern Mozambique, 15-year-old Esmilda is using her voice through World Vision’s Children’s Parliament to fight early marriage and empower her peers—showing how child-led advocacy is transforming lives and protecting girls’ futures.

In Mozambique, a local Child Protection Group brings justice closer to families, tackling early marriage and child rights violations with renewed hope.

At a press conference held on Monday in Lusaka, the alliance, comprised of six leading child-focused organizations, including Save the Children, World Vision Zambia, Plan International Zambia, Child Fund, SOS Children's Villages International, and Terre des Hommes International Federation, expressed deep concern over the rising cases of child sexual abuse. Reports indicate that children are increasingly being victimized in spaces meant to be safe havens, such as homes, schools, and orphanages.

ENOUGH Report: Learn how World Vision fights child hunger in South Asia & Pacific. Discover youth-led solutions & our impact on nutrition policy.

In the rural communities of Namwala District, early marriage remains a significant barrier to education for many girls. However, through the Empowering Vulnerable Children with Education (EVE) project, supported by World Vision, the Education Above All Foundation’s Educate A Child program, and FAWEZA, change is happening.

The Joining Forces Alliance is deeply alarmed by the rising cases of rape and defilement across the country. We are particularly disturbed by the fact that these heinous crimes are being committed by individuals entrusted with the duty to protect children. We commend the Government’s swift action to shut down one facility in Lusaka allegedly perpetrating child abuse and arresting perpetrators.

Brikena Zogaj, warns that countries are risking a strangled future, if children protection is not included in national funding priorities

Saya’s family is from Syria, but she was born in Turkey. Saya is six years old and has three sisters—one younger and two older. Her family lived in Syria until her older sisters were three and one year old. They fled because the war had made their hometown too dangerous. Her father was the first to leave, traveling to Turkey, and soon after, Saya’s mother and sisters joined him. Saya and her younger sister were born in Turkey.

Life in Kapililonga community was once a cycle of hardship, especially for families like Mercy Nachande’s. At 31 years old, Mercy recalls how difficult it was to meet basic needs.