RAISING AWARENESS ON CHILD

MARRIAGE THROUGH ARTS &

CRAFT
BACKGROUND
Child marriage is a prominent social issue here in Malaysia, where the legal minimum age
of marriage is 18, but is 16 for Muslim girls. Those aged below 16 are allowed to marry
with the consent of the Syariah court. Calls to ban child marriage were magnified after
the marriage of a 12-year old girl to her 19-year old boyfriend in 2013, which sparked
international outrage.
It is quoted that more than 140 million girls will become child brides by 2020 if current
rates of early marriage continue, according to a joint statement by WHO, UNFPA and
other organizations. Out of this amount, 50 million of these girls will be younger than 15
when they get married. Child marriage stems from long perpetuated notions of gender
inequality, where girls are often perceived to be of lower value than that of their male
counterparts. It is also additionally fueled by exacerbating factors such as poverty,
insecurity and the presence of conflict in the lives of these individuals. Early marriages
have traditionally also been seen as a protection tool against unsolicited sexual advances
as well as a means of obtaining economic security.
Child marriage remains a somewhat sensitive topic to broach despite the serious
connotations it carries due to its complicated ties to traditional culture.
Such factors are evident in the lives of refugees, with no exception to those currently
residing in this country. Malaysia is not party to the 1951 Convention relating to the
Status of Refugees, which has resulted in various implications in regards to the
livelihoods of the refugee and asylum seeker population in this country. These vulnerable
individuals often find themselves facing challenges in seeking employment or enrolling
their children in schools as a result of the lack of legal framework on refugee rights.
Facing adversity in a foreign land, girls from refugee communities are often married of
by their families as a means of sustenance.
Education and awareness activities on the risks of child marriage should be implemented
in tandem with eforts to alleviate the dire living conditions of communities most
vulnerable to this issue. In addressing this issue, it is important to identify the key
members of these communities in order to implement specifically tailored message
dissemination strategies to ensure efficacy. It is important to include youths in these
eforts, as they make up the individuals that are at risk of engaging in child marriage.
Refugee Youths for Transformation and Excellence (RYTE) is currently made up of a group
of refugee youths who are currently enrolled in post-secondary education programmes
provided by private tertiary institutions that have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with UNHCR. This group was formed as a tool to address the issue
of child marriage, while also becoming a means of building the capacity of said youths.
Their project aims to reach out to the Rohingya community through field visits and
dialogues with the community with the ultimate aim to increase their awareness on the
risks associated with child marriage and its efects on the future of their youths, while
respecting the complexity and sensitivity of this issue due to its religious and cultural
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implications. This project is supported by the Youth Initiative Fund (YIF), a global fund by
UNHCR that provides grants to selected youth initiatives around the world that address
issues faced by the vulnerable refugee community.
OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
The implementation of the Youth Initiative Fund is a collaborative efort between the
Education Unit, Best Interest Determination Unit and the Livelihood Unit. The project
features several phases, some of which come under the responsibility of the Livelihood
Unit. The chief responsibility of the Livelihood Unit is to assist the target group with the
creation of products and campaign materials that not only raise awareness on the issue
of child marriage, but also act as a source of income for the participants.
OBJECTIVES
- To aid the campaign by providing arts and craft classes to the target beneficiaries
in order to support their involvement in the creation of campaign materials
related to the issue of child marriage.
- To support the youths in their campaign to raise awareness on child marriage by
providing the capacity building for the production of creative campaign materials
and merchandise that are not only impactful but act as a source of income for the
participants of the campaign.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- The youths involved will develop artistic skills that will allow them to produce
creative campaign materials that are educational and impactful on the issue.
These materials will hold significant meaning as its creation directly involves the
youth community most vulnerable to child marriage.
- The skills obtained can also be translated into income generating activities,
where:o The youths can continue creating products under this campaign to be sold
as a source of income
o Skills learnt could encourage the development of future artisans.
- The youths will be skilled in arts and crafts and will be able to produce creative
campaign materials that are educational and impactful in disseminating messages
on the risks associated with child marriage. These campaign materials will also
include merchandise related to the cause that can become a source of income for
the participants of the program.
TARGET POPULATION PROFILE
The target population will feature:
-

Refugee youths from the Rohingya community aged 11 years and above, which
will comprise:
o Youths from the Rohingya community visited by the youths
o Youths from the Community or NGO run Learning Centers in 4 locations
namely Cheras, Ampang, Selayang and Klang.
15 youths from RYTE who make up the core of the group. In total, about 60-100
youths is targeted for this project.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF NASHPOTATOES (SERVICE PROVIDER)

The Service Provider is to provide arts and crafts classes to the youths along the span of
2 to 3 months teaching and guiding them on various art techniques as well as advising
them on the design of their campaign materials.
PRE-ASSESSMENT
The Service Provider is to assess the objective of the project in order to identify the most
suitable art skill to be taught to the participants. The Service Provider is also required to
prepare a baseline of the current skills of the participants, which should also include
realistic indicators to be used for progress and project monitoring. The baseline
assessment is to be shared with the Livelihood Unit of UNHCR.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
The Service Provider is required to provide art and craft classes to the participating
youths along the span of four months, amounting up to a total of (number of classes) or
(number of hours). The classes will be held at (location).
These classes are expected to assist the participating youths with the following:
-

Learning basic art and design skills that will allow them to express themselves
Designing and creating products under the awareness campaign that can be sold
as a source of income for these youths.
Creating products that are impactful and lend insight to their lives and
experiences

The Service Provider must closely monitor the progress of these youths and provide
guidance and assistance when necessary.
REPORTING AND FINAL ASSESSMENT
The Service Provider is required to provide a progress report upon reaching the midway
point of the project. At the end of the project, required to provide a final assessment of
the project to evaluate the impact and achievements of the project. The report is to be
sent in within two weeks upon completion of the project.
LOGISTIC ARRANGEMENTS
The classes are to be held at the specified community or NGO run learning centers.
Transport, reimbursement of costs associated with logistics etc. Logistic costs will be
borne by the SP.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF UNHCR MALAYSIA
IDENTIFY TARGET BENEFICIARIES
The Livelihoods Unit of UNHCR is required to identify the targeted youths and obtain their
consent for their participation in the project. The Livelihoods Unit will also work together
with other units within UNHCR to identify these participants.
LOGISTICS ARRANGEMENT FOR INTAKE DAY
1. The classes are to be held at (venue). Transport, reimbursement of costs
associated with logistics etc. Logistic costs will be borne by the SP.
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OPERATIONAL DETAILS:
IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENT
Efective Date
: As soon as possible
Project duration
: 4 months
Total budget
: RM
Location
: Klang Valley
Intervention schedule
: To be proposed by service provider
Target number of participants
: 60 100

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