The CEDAW adopted in 1979 was a landmark legal instrument of international human rights laws ensuring the added protection of women. The Convention on the Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriage adopted in 1962 plays an extremely important role because it codifies into international law provisions addressing forced marriage (within East Africa, Rwanda is the only State to have ratified the convention). The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990) is considered the regional extension of the CRC and plays an important role within the CEFM discourse as it codifies specific rights of a child. The following provisions have been selected as they relate directly to the issues discussed in the paper in regards to manifestations and hidden challenges. Seen as one of the most important articles in the convention, in relation to CEFM is Article 21 which grants protection against harmful social and cultural practices. Two major initiatives in the fight to end CEFM were launched in Africa and amongst the Commonwealth member countries.