Our Causes - Neno Shifters

Our Primary Mission

Ending Child Marriage in Malawi

We are Neno Shifters, a self-mobilized youth group in Malawi operating as part of the Community Action for Sustainable Development Organization (CASDO). We are passionate about promoting the rights of adolescent girls and ending child marriage.

Donda Village in Neno District reports a high prevalence of child, early, forced marriages and unions. This practice has not only impacted the education of these young girls, but also contributed to the district's rapid population growth. While there has been a significant drop in numbers in Neno District, from 697 child marriages in 2017 to 49 in 2022, the problem still prevails, affecting the future of these girls.

2,049

Community Members Reached

90%

Reduction in Child Marriages

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Our Approach

What We Do

Our comprehensive approach to ending child marriage involves community engagement, education, and empowerment.

Education

Awareness Campaigns

We conduct awareness campaigns in villages, educating communities about the laws against child marriages and the harmful effects of certain cultural practices.

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Education

School Support

We distribute school uniforms to vulnerable primary school students, motivating young girls to choose education over marriage.

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Community

Community Engagement

We organize sports events, music shows, and radio programs to bring communities together and foster unity against child marriages.

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"Initially, I believed that marriage would serve as my pathway to escape from my burdens. The Shifters enlightened me about the potential difficulties I could encounter in marriage, prompting my decision to return to school."

- Young Girl from Donda Village

Our Impact

Campaign Impact

Our greatest campaign impact is seen in the leaders who will be setting the stage for change. We have inspired traditional leaders to rethink and put an end to the cultural practices that lead to child marriages. This shift has empowered the community members to take a stand, report cases of child marriages, and support the victims.

The impact of our campaign can also be seen in the numbers. In Donda Village, the number of child marriages decreased from 10 in 2021 to 0 in 2025. Children who were withdrawn from marriages received counseling, offering them a path back to education and a chance to reintegrate into society.

This campaign is only the beginning. As we work towards ending child marriages in our district and beyond, we are also building a foundation for empowerment, education and equality for the future generation.

% Reduction in Child Marriages

School Uniforms Distributed

Community Members Reached

Child Marriages in 2025

Join Us in Ending Child Marriage

Your support can help us continue our work in promoting the rights of adolescent girls and ending child marriage in Malawi.

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