United Nations designates November 27 as International Day to end child marriage

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution designating November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The resolution was passed by consensus among the 193 member states.

The initiative was spearheaded by Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, and Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of the organization Just Rights for Children. The new observance aims to increase global awareness, coordinate government and civil society actions, and strengthen protections for children, particularly girls, against the human rights violations associated with premature unions.

While the designation does not create new international law, it provides an annual platform for advocacy and policy discussion to support the UN goal of ending child marriage by 2030. The practice is linked to significant risks, including interrupted education, health issues, and increased vulnerability to domestic violence and sexual abuse.