Global Leaders Unite to Create a Child Marriage Free World
On the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, Just Rights for Children convened a landmark High Level Event in New York titled Creating a Child Marriage Free World: Building the Case for Prevention, Protection and Prosecution.
Hosted with the Office of H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone and President of OAFLAD, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and the Government of Kenya, in partnership with the World Jurist Association, the Global Survivors Fund and Jurists for Children Worldwide, this gathering brought together governments, UN agencies, jurists, survivors and civil society.
The event showcased best practices, amplified survivor voices and renewed the global commitment to eliminate child, early and forced marriage by 2030.
With only five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Just Rights for Children founder Bhuwan Ribhu issued a powerful appeal: “Prosecution is Prevention. The certainty of law is the only guarantee that every girl will be free from child marriage by 2030.”
This was one of the most powerful child protection moments. It proved that when governments, survivors and allies unite, justice for children becomes inevitable.
"Every girl forced into child marriage is one too many. It’s time to turn words into action together. Governments, international organizations, civil society, and individuals must unite with urgency and resolve. No more delays. No more silence. The time to end child marriage is now."
Dr. Kirsi Madi
Deputy Executive Director, UN Women
"The crisis of child marriage requires an approach that addresses the complex and interlinked factors including poverty, lack of women economic empowerment, climate conflicts, and humanitarian crisis that increase child marriage rates in times of insecurity."
Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid
Special Representative to the Secretary General on Violence Against Children
