Young Brides Don't Get an Education: Help Prevent Child Marriage

As the weather turns cooler (we hope), big yellow school buses will soon be lining the streets, bringing millions of children back to school to continue their education. But not all children are so fortunate. Conservative estimates suggest that 75 million children who should be in primary school are not. More than half of those children, 41 million, are girls. We understand the earning power of higher education here in the U.S., but even primary education can have exponential effects in the developing world. In addition to an increased income, an educated girl is more likely to have fewer and healthier children, send her children to school and participate in the political process. She is also less likely to become infected with HIV.

One way to keep girls in school is to reduce the number of child marriages. Approximately 60 million girls are married before the age of 17. These girls have fewer economic and educational opportunities than their unmarried counterparts, and are twice as likely to suffer domestic violence.

You can help by asking your member of Congress to support the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2009. The bill recognizes child marriage as a human rights violation, develops an integrated strategy to address child marriage, and incorporates child marriage prevention programs into existing foreign assistance programs.

So as you slow to 15 m.p.h in school zones, and navigate the school supplies aisles at the local store, please remember the millions of girls who are unable to obtain a basic education due to early marriages. Contact your legislator to support the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act.

Photo credit: Robert Ingham USMC