UN: more than 12 million girls marry before the age of 18 every year

UN: Over 12 Million Girls Enter Into Marriage Before Age 18 Every Year

According to the UN, more than 12 million girls marry before reaching their 18th birthday each year. The Secretary-General of the organization called for strengthening the protection of their rights and expanding access to education.

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, a child marriage takes place in the world every three seconds. Annually, over 12 million girls marry before age 18.

According to UN data, early marriages deprive girls of the opportunity to receive an education and jeopardize their health and safety. Guterres named poverty as one of the main causes of this problem. The risk also increases during armed conflicts, climate crises, and forced displacement.

Over the past 25 years, thanks to education, social protection, and family support, nearly 68 million child marriages have been prevented. However, funding cuts threaten this progress. At current rates, eradicating child marriage could take hundreds of years.

The UN Secretary-General urged governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to step up investments in girls' education, family support, and the protection of children's rights.

This year, the International Day of the Girl Child was held under the theme "End child marriage and invest in girls' rights."