The NGO Praxis conducted a series of workshops at “Jovan Jovanović Zmaj” and “Ljubomir Aćimović” primary schools in Obrenovac, aiming to raise students’ awareness about the issues of child, early, and forced marriages. The workshops targeted upper-grade students and were interactive, focusing on understanding marital roles, the legal framework, and the consequences of early marriages.

Children had the opportunity to discuss reasons for school dropouts, what constitutes a marriage, and whom to contact if they learn about a possible child or forced marriage. Through group work, participants developed ideas and campaigns for prevention, created posters, quizzes, and educational materials, and some even designed social media posts.

Workshop evaluations showed a high level of satisfaction and usefulness: most students reported increased knowledge about the harmful consequences of early marriages and greater understanding of how to respond and whom to approach. Students also expressed interest in participating in similar future activities, especially on topics of violence and the prevention of child marriages.

Praxis, in collaboration with teachers, swpecial education teachers and pedagogues, also worked on empowering students to recognize risky situations and respond appropriately, as well as promoting the importance of education and delaying marriage until after high school

The workshops were conducted as part of the project “Support for the Prevention and Elimination of Child Marriages in the Municipality of Obrenovac,” which is implemented within the broader project “Children’s Rights Are Human Rights,” supported by the European Union Delegation to Serbia and implemented by the Užice Center for Children’s Rights.