Legislation to prevent child marria​ge around the globe was just introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 2103) and U.S. Senate (S. 987). Most young people who are married under age 18 are girls, and in some countries, as many as 76% of girls are married before age 18.

Because their bodies are not yet fully developed, child brides run a very high risk of complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Young brides are more likely to experience gender-based violence, and are highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, particularly when their husbands are older. Most are forced to leave school when they marry, which limits their future economic opportunities and contributes to an ongoing cycle of poverty.