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How We're Ending Child Marriage

How were ending child marriage protest pic

How we're Ending Child Marriage

Because I am a Girl

Child marriage is a violation of human rights that robs millions of girls around the world of their childhood.

Child marriage is a formal marriage or an informal union that takes place before the age of 18. It may also be a marriage that happens without the free or valid consent of one or both partners. Child marriage affects both boys and girls, but the impact on girls is much greater.

Child brides are forced to drop out of school, have children before they’re ready and are often subjected to a life of violence and abuse. We’re successfully campaigning to end child marriage by working closely with communities, young activists and government officials around the world.

End of child marriage in Guatamala party

Changing the law

In Guatemala, the minimum age for marriage was 14 for girls and 16 for boys. Between 2009 and 2013, more than 80,000 girls under 18 got married, and the majority were married to men triple their age.

In 2015, after years of campaigning, we helped achieve a huge milestone - the minimum age for marriage in Guatemala was finally raised to 18.

Youth campaigners in Malawi - ending child marriage

Young campaigners leading change

In Malawi, we supported young activists to lobby members of parliament to raise the age of marriage to 18. The act was passed in February 2015.

However, there was still a loophole in the law that meant children could get married with their parents' permission - meaning lots of children are married against their wishes.

We launched a petition asking people to stand with the youth campaigners. The support was astounding - around the world, we received more than 40,000 signatures and Malawi outlawed child marriage and the loophole in February 2017! 

Eliza Doolittle supports the end child marriage ring

Raising Awareness On Child Marriage

In 2015 we launched a powerful ad campaign putting a spotlight on child marriage.

The campaign asked people to “give child marriage the finger” and donate to our programmes in Egypt, Mali, Thailand, El Salvador, Uganda and Malawi that help girls at risk of child marriage.

After supporters donated we sent them an end child marriage ring as a gift and asked them to share it on social media. It’s a symbol - you wear the ring to show your support to ending child marriage.

Join the campaign to end child marriage

Sign up to Because I Am A Girl

If you are affected by child marriage or are concerned about a child’s safety, call Karma Nirvana's helpline on 0800 5999 247 or visit their website.