Government Action

Burkina Faso Launches Initiative
to Reduce Early Marriage

Two years ago, the government of Burkina Faso launched a program that targets unmarried 10- to 14-year-olds to reduce child marriage in areas where it is widespread. So far, 2,000 girls have received reproductive health information and job skills training. And 84 percent of them are now engaged in income-generating activities.

Indian Officials Campaign to Halt
Mass Child Marriages

The Indian National Commission for Women led a campaign in 2001 to raise awareness of the risks of child marriage during Akha Teej, a Hindu religious festival. Thousands of children, including babies, were married on this day in mass marriage ceremonies, despite laws designed to prevent such practices.

Roma King Issues Decree
Banning Child Marriage

King Tortica, a Roma Gypsy king, is supporting a campaign to stop child marriages among the Roma in Romania. The king has banned his subjects from marrying their children until they are 18.

Forced Marriage Proposed
as a Crime against Humanity

Prosecutors of Sierra Leone's Special Court sought to add "forced marriage" as a new crime against humanity. Countless Sierra Leonean women—many of them young girls—were abducted and made to marry combatants, who often forced them to have sex and bear children. Many were threatened with death if they tried to escape.

U.S. Lawmakers, Health Experts Speak Out Against Child Marriage at a Photo Exhibit on Capitol Hill

U.S. lawmakers and leading international health and research experts will speak on the dangers of child marriage in developing countries and will offer policy recommendations for ending the practice at today's launch of a photo exhibit produced by the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). Click here to read more.

U.S. Lawmakers Pledge Support for Curbing Child Marriage in Developing World

U.S. lawmakers pledged support for legislative measures to reduce child marriage in developing countries at the May 19 launch of the ICRW photo essay exhibit featuring stories of girls and women who married as children. Click here to read more.