12 million girls marry before the age of 18 each year – almost one every 2 seconds.
Child marriage is a human rights violation, robbing girls of their childhood; forced into adulthood before they are physically and mentally ready.
Girls married before 18 are more likely to experience physical, sexual and domestic violence. They become isolated with their freedom curtailed and are much less likely to stay in school.
But a child bride’s greatest danger by far are complications during forced pregnancy – the world’s number one killer of girls aged 15 to 19 – when their young bodies are not physically mature enough.
If we don’t act now, more than 150 million girls will become child brides by 2030.
But you can make a difference and stand against child marriage.
Join us in our work to end child marriage and sign the pledge.
