HELP END CHILD MARRIAGE:
SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL CHILD MARRIAGE PREVENTION ACT OF 2007 (S1998)
OCTOBER 2007

BACKGROUND: While the practice of Child Marriage is universally condemned, coordination and commitment at the highest political levels will ensure adequate enforcement of laws and support of community-based solutions. The United States addresses Child Marriage through United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a federal initiative to address international issues. In addition, the United States Department of State monitors the issue of Child Marriage by collecting information on child marriage laws, statistical figures and efforts from embassies. But the United States can increase its recognition of and commitment to the issue of Child Marriage.

SIGNIFICANCE: The Act requires the United States Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce the incidence of Child Marriage and integrate the issue into current US development initiatives.

In addition, the Act includes the following provisions:

1. Authorizes the President of the United States to give assistance to programs reducing the incidence of Child Marriage and promoting the empowerment of girls and young women
2. Authorizes the President of the United States to support programs to expand educational and employment opportunities and access to health care for children who are married
3. Ongoing research to collect and make available data on the incidence of child marriage in countries that receive foreign or development assistance from the United States where the practice of child marriage is prevalent
4. The inclusion of Child Marriage in the Department of State's Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
5. Authorizes federal funding of $15 million for 2008, $20 million for 2009, and $25 million for 2010

To read the full text of the bill, visit
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s110-1998

ACTION: Write to your Senators and urge them to support the International Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2007 (S 1998). See the GLI CHILD MARRIAGE CAMPAIGN LETTER for suggested template.

To find out your Senator’s contact information, visit http://www.senate.gov/