2021-03-10

Stopping child marriage more important than ever

On International Women's Day on March 8, Unicef, the United Nations Children's Fund, published a report on the development of child marriage in the world.

Thanks to significant efforts over the past ten years, 25 million child marriages have been avoided. The Global Program to End Child Marriage, where Zonta has been active since 2018, has meant a lot in this positive development.

Today we know that the corona pandemic has had extensive consequences all over the world. Schools are closed, social functions cease, isolation and poverty increase. Girls are especially vulnerable and those who are married off at a young age suffer both directly and in the long term. Zonta therefore agrees with the call from Unicef director Henrietta Fore: Open the children's schools!

In the coming decade, another 100 million child marriages are expected to take place. The consequences of the corona pandemic means that an additional 10 million girls are at risk of being married off as children during the same period. Zonta's commitment and funding have perhaps never been more important. Our work to end child marriage is making a real difference to girls around the world.

Read the entire Unicef report here