Why child marriage?

Child marriage is a major issue in Uganda. Estimates suggest that 40% of women aged 20-24 years were first married before the age of 18. A 2011 study found that 65% of women have suffered domestic violence. The notion of domestic violence is largely unknown in Ugandan society, with many citizens believing the term refers only to the most serious cases.

What are we doing about it?

The None in Three model uses a mixed methods research approach:

• We conduct interviews and focus groups with survivors and perpetrators of child marriage to gain a deep understanding of young people’s experiences.
• We also conduct large surveys with more than 10,000 young people in schools and other institutions to understand their exposure and attitudes to gender-based violence.
• The outcomes from our research inform the development of an interactive educational computer game for young people to play.
• We use further anonymous surveys to evaluate the impact on young people of the game.
• A teaching resource pack will accompany the game, once its effectiveness has been measured, to ensure players have sufficient time to reflect on the issues and debate the characters’ attitudes and behaviours.