The United Nations General Assembly has declared November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage, marking a major step in efforts to protect millions of children from harmful practices and accelerate global action against child marriage.
The resolution establishing the international day was led by Sierra Leone and adopted by the UN General Assembly, highlighting growing international concern over the continued prevalence of child, early and forced marriages.
The initiative was championed by Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, following a call by Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of the civil society network, Just Rights for Children.
The newly designated international day is expected to provide an annual platform for governments, civil society organisations, development partners and communities to draw attention to the consequences of child marriage and strengthen efforts aimed at ending the practice.
Child marriage remains one of the most widespread violations of the rights of children, particularly girls, despite progress made in several countries.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, an estimated 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 every year. The agency also estimates that about 650 million women and girls alive today were married as children.
The practice often exposes girls to serious health risks, limits their access to education and reduces their opportunities to participate fully in economic and social life. Girls married at an early age are also more vulnerable to early pregnancies and other forms of abuse.
Sierra Leone welcomed the adoption of the resolution, describing it as an important milestone in strengthening global efforts to protect children and promote their health, education and overall wellbeing.
The country said the declaration of an International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage would help intensify advocacy and encourage greater action by governments and other stakeholders.
It also expressed hope that the new observance would accelerate progress towards ending child marriage by raising awareness, strengthening child protection systems and promoting the rights and wellbeing of children worldwide.
With millions of girls still at risk each year, the UN’s decision places renewed global attention on the urgent need for sustained action to eliminate child, early and forced marriage.
