Kinshasa, September 6th, 2026 (CPA).- The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a historic resolution designating November 27th of each year as the International Day for the Elimination of Child Marriage, of Early Marriage and of Forced Marriage, it is learned on Sunday from a press release.
“We welcome a world mandate for action and we remind leaders of their duty to guarantee the freedom and fulfilment of every girl,” has declared Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). According to the source, the initiative aimed to establish a framework of collective responsibility committing governments, civil society and community leaders to treat child marriage as a crime and a form of sexual abuse. “I call on all governments to intensify their public policies in order to eradicate this harmful practice once and for all by 2030,” has launched Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of the international network Just Rights for Children.
Backed by 20 African co-donor countries, this agreement by the 193 UN Member States aims to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relating to health, education and the protection of young people. Active worldwide in the fight against the exploitation of minors, the Just Rights for Children network reports that it has helped to prevent or stop more than 550,000 child marriages since 2023. This new international day will now provide a permanent platform for coordinating the fight and assessing progress made on the ground.