Around 12 million girls are married off each year, many before they even have a chance to reach adulthood. This practice affects young girls across the globe, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. It’s a violation of their fundamental rights and a barrier to their potential. The global coalition, led by Girls Not Brides, is tirelessly working to change this, aiming to end child marriage by 2030.
In a world where the rights of women and girls are increasingly being recognised, the persistence of child marriage is both alarming and unacceptable. Girls are robbed of their childhood, often denied education, and left vulnerable to violence and poverty. The statistics are daunting—40% of girls in fragile or conflict-affected areas are still married before they turn 18, and if the current pace of progress doesn’t accelerate, an additional 150 million girls could be married as children by 2030.
One of the most significant victories in this fight occurred earlier this year in Sierra Leone with the passage of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. Legal reforms like these are pivotal. They send a clear message that child marriage is not just a social issue but a violation of human rights that must be stopped. However, changing laws is only part of the solution. Ensuring their enforcement and building systems that support girls in every aspect of their lives is equally important.
Collaboration has been at the heart of the coalition’s success. It’s not just about lobbying governments but also working alongside non-governmental organisations (NGOs), grassroots movements, and the communities where these marriages happen. In India, for example, local programs are empowering young girls to stay in school, which is one of the most effective ways to delay marriage. The longer a girl remains in education, the less likely she is to marry before adulthood.
In Guatemala, the Red Voceras project is another example of how grassroots movements can make a difference. This initiative empowers girls to advocate for their rights, particularly around the issue of early pregnancy. It gives them a platform to speak out against societal pressures and expectations that often lead to marriage at a young age.
Yet, despite the progress made, the battle is far from over. In many parts of the world, girls in informal unions—a form of marriage not legally recognised—remain beyond the reach of justice. This presents a significant challenge in ensuring that all girls, regardless of the type of union, are protected. Access to sexual health services is another pressing concern, as many girls in child marriages face severe health risks due to early pregnancies and lack of reproductive care.
In the United States, Girls Not Brides has also been making strides, advocating for legislation like the Keeping Girls in School Act. This act aims to address barriers that prevent girls from receiving an education, which, in turn, helps to lower the incidence of child marriage. Awareness campaigns in the U.S. are bringing attention to the global impacts of child marriage, showing that this is not just a distant issue but one that affects the global community.
While the road to 2030 is fraught with challenges, the commitment of this coalition offers hope. Legal reforms, education, and access to justice are key pillars in the effort to end child marriage, but it is the collaboration with local communities that is perhaps the most important piece of the puzzle. The fight isn’t just about changing laws—it’s about changing mindsets.
As I look ahead, the goal of ending child marriage by 2030 feels ambitious, but it is not impossible. With continued advocacy, support for girls' education, and global partnerships, we can achieve a world where no girl is forced into marriage before she’s ready. Every girl deserves the chance to choose her future, and by 2030, we must ensure that this choice is hers alone.
Sources: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/a-global-coalition-of-1400-organizations-is-trying/
More information: https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/
Youtube credits: https://www.youtube.com/@BBCWorldService