ACTIVITIES ON SAFE AGE OF MARRIAGE CONCLUDED IN AMRAN

AMRAN, May 31 (Saba) - The first phase of project for the safe age
of marriage was concluded in the districts of al-Sood and al-Sauda
in Amran province.

The project was organized by Yemen Women Union (YWU)-Amran branch
for one year and a half, with financing from the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID).

At the conclusion ceremony, Undersecretary of Amran province Yahya
Ghobar noted to the outputs of the fist phase of the project that
included awareness campaigns for the citizens on the risks of the
early marriage.

He confirmed the cooperation of the concerned agencies in
implementing the health awareness plans and programs, calling the
project's officials to expand the project's activity to include all
districts of the province.

For her part, Deputy Chairwomen of the YWU for Foreign Affairs
Fathiya Mohamed dealt with the nature of the project and its
positive impact in the development of the community awareness.

She called to support the awareness-raising campaigns about the
dangers of early marriage and its negative effects on health of
girls and family.

In August 2008, the USAID started a safe age of marriage program
through its local partner the YWU in two districts in Amran province
(al-Souda and al-Sood). The program addresses the socially
sanctioned practice of child marriage leading to poor health and
social outcomes for young girls.

BA