ADDRESS

Dear Senator,

On behalf of the 50 million girls around the world who were married as child brides, we strongly urge you to support the upcoming legislation, International Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2007 (S 1998), introduced by Senator Dick Durbin. The Act authorizes the United States government to take critical steps towards ending the practice of Child Marriage.

Though universally condemned, a 2005 Department of State survey found the practice of Child Marriage to be an area of concern in 64 countries. The United Nations Population Fund estimates if present trends continue, more than 100 million girls will marry as children in the coming decade. The practice of Child Marriage has negative consequences for girls, families and communities. Girls who marry young often drop out of school and families suffer from a girl’s lack of education in the areas of childbearing and health care. Uneducated mothers are less likely to send their children to school, leading to a cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and sickness.

The Act champions the creation of a comprehensive strategy to reduce Child Marriage to be coordinated by the Secretary of State. The Act requires extensive monitoring of the incidence of Child Marriage while making financial commitments to programs that reduce the practice. Crucially, the Act has provisions for expanding schooling opportunities for young girls, a key strategy for addressing Child Marriage because educated girls are more likely to delay marriage.

The Act builds on the current work of the United State and contains vital federal support for ending the practice of Child Marriage. No child should ever be married against their consent. We therefore urge you to consider co-sponsoring the International Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2007 (S 1998).

Very truly yours,

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