On January 26, 2022, Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) hosted a virtual strategic discussion with PGA’s National Group in the National Assembly of Ecuador and Fundación Sendas, on Child, Early and Forced Marriage. Fundación Sendas presented their current work in Ecuador: including their initiatives in the context of its partnership with Girls not Brides (GNB) and its Power to Girls Campaign, and details on their upcoming launch of a new campaign, #MatrimonioConNiñas, in the framework of a global campaign initiated by GNB.

Chairperson of PGA’s National Group and Board Member, Hon. Esther Cuesta, Member of the National Assembly and member of the Committee on the Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents, offered her full support to Sendas’ campaign #MatrimonioConNiñas and offered to work together to better promote and protect the rights of young girls and women.

The main points of agreement included:

• Share research and analyses on child marriage and early unions in Ecuador
• Foster engagement and collaboration between parliamentarians and civil society
• Articulate and coordinate their efforts to increase visibility on the topic in Latin America

PGA’s GEI team will continue engaging with members of the National Assembly and looks forward to facilitating more discussions with civil society representatives during 2022.