Mozambique reunites nearly 500 children from early unions
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Mozambican authorities brought almost 500 children back to their families after rescuing them from early marriages during the first six months of 2026, primarily in the Zambézia and Nampula provinces.
Government reports indicate officials reunited 498 children with their families, achieving 95% of their goal to support 524 children. Zambézia accounted for 135 of these reunifications, while Nampula saw 128 children returned home. The non-governmental organization World Vision.
Mozambique reported in 2025 that 907 Mozambican children experienced sexual violence and early unions in the first half of that year, urging increased efforts to protect vulnerable children. Data collected by the Fala Criança support line revealed these figures. Mozambique ranks second in Southern Africa for the prevalence of early unions, with 48% of girls marrying before age 18 and 14% before age 15, according to a 2025 Oxfam report.
Factors contributing to this issue include poverty, natural disasters, and armed conflict, particularly in the north of the country.
