UN Calls for the End of Child Marriages on International Day of the Girl Child

On October 11th, the UN held a special session in honor of the newly founded “International Day of the Girl Child.” The central theme of this year’s event was child marriage, about which secretary-general Ban Ki-moon expressed strong disapproval.

According to Mr. Ban, marriage can be destructive to girls who are under 18 years old. It can shatter future opportunities  and put girls at risk of abuse, violence, and potentially life-threatening pregnancies. In addition, the secretary proposed education as a key solution to the problem. He stated, “Education for girls is one of the best strategies for protecting girls against child marriage… build a foundation for a better life for themselves and their families. And, if they have already been married young, access to education, economic opportunities, and health services — including HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health — will help enrich their lives and enhance their future.”

Approximately one third of females between the ages of 20 and 24 (70 million women) were married before the age of 18. The problem is particularly widespread in poor and rural areas of developing countries.

Mr. Ban’s words had an eerie resonance this weekend, as Taliban militants hunted down Malala Yousafzai, a girl in Pakistan who openly called for the education of young females.

The UN General Assembly designated October 11 as International Day of the Girl Child, according to Resolution 66/170, which was adopted on December 19, 2011. The day commemorates the rights of young females around the world.

The entire session can be viewed here.

Creative Commons Love: alles-schlumpf at Flickr.com

Written by Sean Yi