Broadcaster Hong Jin Kyung has stepped forward to support African girls at risk of child marriage.
On February 11 KST, international relief and development organization World Vision Korea announced that it is launching the “1,000 Girls” campaign with Hong Jin Kyung to help girls facing early marriage in Africa.
According to UNICEF, an estimated 14.2 million girls worldwide are married before the age of 18 each year, depriving them of education and exposing them to forced labor and sexual exploitation.
The funds raised will support girls in Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Burundi, and Sierra Leone by providing sexual and reproductive health education, menstrual hygiene education and supplies, and improving restroom facilities for female students. Additionally, the campaign will help young women achieve economic independence through vocational training and entrepreneurship programs.
Efforts will also focus on raising awareness among parents and local communities to prevent child marriage, establishing reporting channels for cases of child marriage, sexual violence, and abuse, and providing emergency intervention and protection services for at-risk children.
Supporters of the campaign can sponsor a girl through one-on-one matching. Those who sign up for a regular donation will receive a “With Bear” keyring, designed to resemble a schoolbag-wearing teddy bear, symbolizing a girl growing up safely while receiving an education.
As a long-time World Vision sponsor, Hong Jin Kyung volunteered her time and talent for this campaign. She stated, “It breaks my heart to know that girls who should be dreaming and learning are instead suffering due to child marriage. I hope many people will participate in this campaign so these girls can enjoy a normal childhood and grow up in a safe environment.”
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