PETITION CLOSED

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Tell Congress to Prevent Child Marriage Now
  1. Signatures
    356 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. The U.S. Senate (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The U.S. Senate
      • The U.S. House of Representatives
  2. Created By
    Women Thrive Worldwide
About this Petition Petition Letter

More than 60 million girls around the world have been forced into marriage before the age of 18. Child marriage devastates the lives of girls, their families and their communities. Every day, more than 25,000 girls, some as young as 7-years old, become child brides. If this trend continues, another 100 million girls will be forced into marriage in the next 10 years. 

The violation of these girls' human rights does not end, merely with the marriage itself. Child brides are less likely to complete their education, limiting their ability to earn an income later in life. They are twice as likely to experience domestic violence, and are far more likely to bear children when still young. Early childbirth can lead to many medical complications while pregnant, during childbirth, and during recovery. Complications stemming from pregnancy and childbirth are a leading cause of death for girls ages 15–19 worldwide.

Fortunately, there is something you can do to prevent child marriage.

Ask Congress to co-sponsor and help pass the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act.

Recent Signatures

Support the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act

Greetings,

You currently have the opportunity to help ensure the safety of young girls around the world. There are currently an estimated 60 million girls around the world who have been forced into marriage before the age of 18. Some of these brides are as young as 7-years-old when they are married, and there are 25,000 new child brides every day. If this trend continues, another 100 million girls will be forced into marriage in the next 10 years.

To prevent girls as young as 7 from being forcibly married to men often twice their age, all you have to do is support The International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2009 (HR 2103/S.987).

This act would recognize child marriage as a human rights violation, help set-up successful approaches to prevent child marriage and integrate child marriage prevention strategies throughout U.S. foreign policy. This act would make our efforts to prevent child marriage far more effective and legitimize our efforts in the eyes of the international community.

Child brides are less likely to complete their education, a fact which limits their ability to earn an income later in life. They are two times more likely to suffer abuse than their counterparts who marry at a later age, and they are far more likely to bear children when still young. Early childbirth can lead to many medical complications while pregnant, during childbirth, and during recovery. Complications stemming from pregnancy and childbirth are a leading cause of death for girls ages 15–19 worldwide.

You have the chance to help girls by co-sponsoring and helping to pass H.R. 2103. Please stand with me today and help bring an end to this wide-spread violation of human rights.

[Your name]

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