
Dissemination of the Ngwedo Sub-County Bye-Law on Ending Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy
Name of Organisation: Center For Economic Social Cultural Rights in Africa (CESCRA)
We facilitated the enactment and community-wide dissemination of a historic Bye-Law on Ending Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy in Ngwedo Sub-County. Developed with input from Girl Leaders and Ambassadors of Change (GLACs) and endorsed by local government, the Bye-Law outlines clear legal steps and protection mechanisms for vulnerable children.
This milestone followed months of GLAC-led campaigns, community dialogues, and strategic engagement with local leaders, parents, district officials, and school authorities. To promote community ownership, we facilitated translation into Alur and Lugungu, making it culturally relevant and accessible. We also convened meetings where the newly established Child Rights Committee (CRC), mandated to oversee the Bye-Law’s implementation, signed a Commitment Pledge affirming their roles in safeguarding children’s rights.


Chaired by the LC3, the CRC embeds accountability within local governance structures. Together, the Bye-Law and CRC create a sustainable legal and institutional framework to prevent child marriages and teenage pregnancies, ensuring ongoing protection, access to education, and justice for girls. The objectives are to establish a legally binding community framework to prevent child marriage and teenage pregnancy, strengthen community-led protection mechanisms for at-risk children, especially girls, ensure widespread awareness of the Bye-Law in culturally relevant languages, and institutionalize accountability through the CRC for effective implementation and monitoring.
A total of 1,712 people were reached: 366 direct participants (change agents, school coordinators, CRC members) and 1,346 indirect participants (pupils, teachers, leaders, and community members). Follow-Up The CRC will conduct quarterly monitoring visits, while GLAC members will lead quarterly awareness sessions. An annual joint review will assess the Bye-Law’s effectiveness and address challenges.
Activity Address: Ngwedo subcounty Buliisa District: Contact Person: Esther Adokey