Five provinces in Mozambique receive nine million euros a year from Finland to fund activities to protect and support girls who are victims of child marriage.

According to Finland's ambassador to Mozambique, Anna Kaisa, the programs are being implemented in the provinces of Manica, Zambézia, Niassa, Cabo Delgado and Nampula. The aim of this program is to help retain girls in school.

The source, who was speaking during a two-day visit to Manica province, as part of women's month, revealed that the support is being directed mainly at the education sector, to ensure the girl's training.

"The situation of early marriages is worrying in Mozambique. Many girls get married and become mothers before they turn 18. Although there is a law against early and forced unions, I think it's important to invest in girls' education as a way of fighting poverty," she said, quoted by AIM.