The new observance will be marked annually to raise awareness, encourage advocacy and support efforts to end child, early and forced marriage. The UN has confirmed November 27 as the annual date.
The resolution calls on governments, UN bodies, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to mark the day through awareness campaigns, education and advocacy. It also encourages countries to adopt comprehensive national strategies to eliminate early marriage.
Sierra Leone leads initiative
Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, played a leading role in promoting the initiative, which was also championed by Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of the global child rights network Just Rights for Children.
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Bio addressed the General Assembly after the resolution was adopted, describing it as a call to action and a reminder of the international community’s responsibility to protect children and girls’ rights.
“An international day itself cannot by itself end child marriage, but political attention can, strong laws can, effective institutions can, education can... and above all, sustained political will can,” Bio said.
Speaking to Inter Press Service, she called on countries to move beyond adopting laws and focus on implementing them.
“In Sierra Leone, we have gone beyond just talk. We have passed the law. It’s now an act, and because it’s now an act, it’s been implemented 100 percent,” she said.
Sierra Leone passed legislation banning child marriage in 2024.
Millions of girls affected
The UN Population Fund estimates that around 640 million women alive today were married in childhood, while UNICEF has previously put the figure at about 650 million.
The practice continues despite national laws and international agreements prohibiting child marriage.
Bhuwan Ribhu, who first called for the creation of an International Day during the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March, said the resolution should now be followed by concrete measures.
“Now is the time for governments to provide decisive leadership to end child marriage by 2030 and ensure education, protection, and development of every child to realize their full potential,” Ribhu said.
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He also called for governments to implement budgeted action plans and establish institutions capable of enforcing laws against child marriage.
Calls for action beyond recognition
Girls Not Brides welcomed the UN decision but said recognition must be followed by funding and concrete action.
“International commitment needs to be matched with action,” said Amanda Austin, interim co-CEO of Girls Not Brides.
The organization said ending child marriage requires addressing the gender and socioeconomic inequalities that allow the practice to persist, while investing in locally led movements and ensuring girls have access to education, health care and economic opportunities.
