UN Declares November 27 International Day to End Child Marriage
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution establishing November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
The resolution, adopted by consensus on Friday, September 4, creates a permanent annual observance aimed at accelerating international efforts to end child marriage and strengthen the protection of children, particularly girls.
The initiative has been championed by child-rights advocates, including Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of Just Rights for Children, and Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, who is also president of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development.
The United Nations says child marriage remains a major global rights and development challenge. More than 12 million girls are married before adulthood each year, with sub-Saharan Africa recording the highest prevalence at about 31 per cent.
The new international day is intended to raise awareness, encourage governments to strengthen laws and policies, and promote action addressing the social and economic factors that leave children vulnerable to early and forced marriage.
For campaigners, the resolution provides a new global platform to place child marriage higher on the international agenda and push governments towards stronger protection for girls and adolescents.
The United Nations’ move comes as countries work towards the Sustainable Development Goals, which include a target of eliminating child, early and forced marriage by 2030.
