the Maputo Protocol and other African Union instruments is yet to be realised by some Member States; Conscious that Article 19(1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides that: State Parties shall take appropriate legislative, administrative and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment, exploitation, including sexual; Acknowledging the work that has been done in the region to address issues of gender and children’s rights such as the launch of the African Union Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa; Noting that SADC PF at its 35th Plenary Assembly unanimously approved a review of the status of child marriage in SADC and development of a Model Law that would contribute towards ending child marriage; Knowing that model legislation builds on best practices and serves as a guide, yardstick and an advocacy tool for legislators, administrators, policy makers, civil society, adjudicators and other concerned stakeholders; Desirous that children should not marry before attaining 18 years of age and that children already in marriage should be protected against all forms of violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment and exploitation and all forms of discrimination; Urge ; Member States that have not ratified the international and regional human rights instruments listed in the Schedule to this Model Law to Page 25 of 78