Every October 11th, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child. Whilst it is a day to celebrate global progress in protecting and promoting girls’ rights, this year, against the backdrop of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear to see how much work we have still to do. With recent projections from UNFPA/UNICEF showing that the impact of COVID-19 could potentially result in an additional 13 million child marriages taking place between 2020 and 2030 that could otherwise have been averted.

Every October 11th, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child. Whilst it is a day to celebrate global progress in protecting and promoting girls’ rights, this year, against the backdrop of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear to see how much work we have still to do. With recent projections from UNFPA/UNICEF showing that the impact of COVID-19 could potentially result in an additional 13 million child marriages taking place between 2020 and 2030 that could otherwise have been averted.

Child marriage, defined as a formal marriage or informal union before the age of 18, disproportionately affects girls around the world.  It is a human rights violation that legitimizes abuse and denies girls' autonomy under the guise of culture, honor, tradition, and religion.

Child marriage, defined as a formal marriage or informal union before the age of 18, disproportionately affects girls around the world.  It is a human rights violation that legitimizes abuse and denies girls' autonomy under the guise of culture, honor, tradition, and religion.

On Wednesday 23rd October, the Tanzania Court of Appeal has upheld the landmark 2016 ruling by the High Court which increased the minimum age of marriage for girls and boys from 14 and 15 years respectively to 18 years.

On Wednesday 23rd October, the Tanzania Court of Appeal has upheld the landmark 2016 ruling by the High Court which increased the minimum age of marriage for girls and boys from 14 and 15 years respectively to 18 years.

What are the laws around child marriage and FGM in #Kenya? How are they implemented and how can you access support if you are at risk? Learn more from Equality Now

What are the laws around child marriage and FGM in #Kenya? How are they implemented and how can you access support if you are at risk? Learn more from Equality Now

The submission focuses on the need for equality of women to be explicitly enshrined in the U.S. Constitution; child marriage; protection from sexual harassment and violence at secondary schools; female genital mutilation; and online sexual exploitation.

The submission focuses on the need for equality of women to be explicitly enshrined in the U.S. Constitution; child marriage; protection from sexual harassment and violence at secondary schools; female genital mutilation; and online sexual exploitation.

An estimated 248,000 children were married in the U.S. between 2000-2010, 77 percent of whom were girls married to adult men. It’s a shocking number that many are surprised to hear. And many are just, if not more surprised, to hear that child “marriage” is legal in the vast majority of U.S. states.

An estimated 248,000 children were married in the U.S. between 2000-2010, 77 percent of whom were girls married to adult men. It’s a shocking number that many are surprised to hear. And many are just, if not more surprised, to hear that child “marriage” is legal in the vast majority of U.S. states.

“When I returned to my school they asked why I had been absent for three months. I told my teacher it was because my father was organizing a wedding for me and I had escaped with no money. My teacher said she would contact my parents, but they didn’t respond. Finally, they sent my brother to speak with the village leader.  He was told to lie and say I wasn’t to be married.”

“When I returned to my school they asked why I had been absent for three months. I told my teacher it was because my father was organizing a wedding for me and I had escaped with no money. My teacher said she would contact my parents, but they didn’t respond. Finally, they sent my brother to speak with the village leader.  He was told to lie and say I wasn’t to be married.”

I come from a small village in Georgia, where people think girls don’t need a good education because we’re expected to get married young and there is nothing else for us to do but stay home and have children.

I come from a small village in Georgia, where people think girls don’t need a good education because we’re expected to get married young and there is nothing else for us to do but stay home and have children.