Feminist Majority

Stop Child Marriage!

Take action today to stop child marriages! In several countries across the world, including India, Niger, and Uganda, more than half of girls are married before they turn 18. Girls as young as 7 or 8 are forced into marriage, and pressured to give birth before their bodies are ready.

This is your chance to take a stand against the widespread practice of child marriage that takes place in many of the world's poorest countries. These girls face increased risks for domestic violence, maternal mortality, infant mortality, obstetric fistula, and contracting HIV. They are often forced to drop out of school, and lose the chance to gain vital skills that could help them overcome poverty.

Join us in urging legislators to take action on the International Child Marriage Prevention and Protection Act of 2007!

For more information on what you can do to end the practice of child marriage, visit the International Center for Research on Women's website or email the Feminist Majority Foundation's Global Coordinator at ahossain@feminist.org.

February 09, 2010

Subject:

Dear Legislator,

I am writing to urge you to support the International Child Marriage Prevention and Protection Act of 2007 (S. 1998 and H.R. 3175). The act seeks to eliminate the harmful practice child marriage overseas by requiring an integrated, strategic approach by the U.S. government to prevent child marriage.

There are an estimated 51 million child brides worldwide, the majority of them in West and East Africa and South Asia. In several countries, including India, Niger, and Uganda, more than half of girls are married before they turn 18. Some of these girls are as young as 7 or 8 years old, and once married are pressured to bear children as quickly as possible, often before their body is ready to handle the stress of childbirth.

Child brides face high rates of domestic violence, maternal mortality, and infant mortality. Girls younger than 15 are five times more likely to die in childbirth than women in their 20s. Child brides face a higher risk of obstetric fistula and HIV. They are often forced to drop out of school, giving up any dreams they had about their own lives and depriving them of the skills and knowledge that might allow them to overcome poverty.

Preventing child marriage will help in achieving the U.S.'s long-term goals of international development: universal education, the eradication of poverty, the reduction of HIV/AIDS and better overall health. It's both the right and the smart thing to do.

We will add your signature from the information you provide.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Street*

Street 2

City*

State/Province*

Zip/Postal Code*

Send an Email

Send a Fax

Add me to the following list(s):
Alerts