Local Governments Support Initiative for Shelter for Child Brides

Local officials from five municipalities in Montenegro have endorsed an initiative aimed at establishing the country’s first specialized shelter for girls affected by child marriages. The initiative, led by the Centre for Roma Initiatives (CRI), seeks to create a safe environment for vulnerable girls who have been subjected to forced and child marriages.

On October 15, 2023, CRI launched a campaign titled “Councillors for a Safer Childhood.” This initiative encourages local councillors and MPs to contribute voluntarily to a fundraising effort dubbed “€1 from You + €2 from OAK = Safety + Education + Empowerment.” The goal is to raise funds for the construction of a national shelter specifically designed to aid girls facing the ramifications of early marriage.

Among the first to respond positively to the campaign were councillors from Danilovgrad, Bijelo Polje, Rožaje, Pljevlja, and Kolašin. Additionally, the DPS councillor clubs and the Bosniak Party from Bijelo Polje have also shown their support. To date, the initiative has secured €1,130, and with the support of the OAK Foundation, this amount will be doubled through a co-funding model.

Despite this encouraging response at the local level, CRI expressed concern that no members of the Montenegrin Parliament have yet backed the initiative. The organization has reiterated its call for all parliamentary representatives to engage with the campaign, emphasizing its significance for the protection of the most vulnerable girls. CRI has noted that the campaign will remain open until the end of 2026, highlighting its critical and humanitarian nature.

Since its establishment in 2021, CRI has raised a total of €27,538.76 through donations from citizens and institutions that recognize the importance of fostering a secure environment for children from marginalized communities. The organization plans to continue its efforts and hopes that more municipalities and parliamentarians will join in, contributing to the ambitious goal of constructing the first shelter for girls affected by child marriages in Montenegro.

This ongoing initiative underscores the urgent need for protective measures for young girls in vulnerable situations, aiming to provide them with safety, education, and empowerment for a better future.