The United Nations Agency for Children (UNICEF) has reported that an estimated 68 million child marriages have been averted over the past 25 years due to education. This progress is attributed to investments in girls' education, legal reform, and social protection. UNICEF highlighted this achievement in a message issued to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated annually on October 11. The 2026 theme, "End child marriage and invest in girls' rights!", emphasizes the importance of continued efforts to protect girls' rights.
According to UNICEF's 2026 estimates, an estimated one in five girls are married before age 18 across the world, representing approximately 650 million women and girls alive today who were married in childhood. This statistic underscores the persistent challenge of child marriage, which remains one of the most widespread violations of girls' rights. UNICEF noted that child marriage denies millions of girls the chance to stay in school, protect their health, live free from violence, and fulfil their potential.
UNICEF also highlighted that nearly one in four ever married or partnered girls aged 15 to 19 have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime. This alarming statistic emphasizes the need for continued support and protection for girls. The agency stated that crisis, conflict, and displacement continued to increase the risk of child marriage, sexual violence, and maternal mortality for girls.
The UN agency reported that girls aged 15 and 19 were twice as likely as boys to not be in education, employment, or training. In fragile, conflict, and violence-affected contexts, girls are nearly 90 per cent more likely to be out of secondary school than girls in stable contexts, increasing their risk of child marriage. This disparity highlights the critical need for targeted interventions to support girls' education and well-being in vulnerable settings.
UNICEF called for an end to child marriage and investment in girls' rights, noting that change is possible. The agency emphasized that keeping girls in school, expanding access to health, protection, and social services, and working with families and communities to challenge harmful norms are essential solutions. By investing in girls' rights and supporting their leadership, it is possible to accelerate progress and ensure that every girl can realize her rights and fulfil her potential.
The agency noted that each year, more than 12 million girls – roughly one every three seconds – are married before reaching adulthood, with the highest prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, at 31 per cent. Child marriage can have severe and lasting consequences for girls' physical and mental health, increasing risks of social isolation, anxiety, and emotional distress.
UNICEF emphasized that investing in girls is one of the most effective ways to accelerate progress. Every girl deserves a childhood, the freedom to learn, grow, make her own choices, and define her own future. By working together to end child marriage and invest in girls' rights, it is possible to build healthier families, stronger communities, and more peaceful, prosperous societies.
Key points
- 68 million child marriages have been averted in 25 years due to education.
- An estimated one in five girls are married before age 18 across the world.
- Investing in girls' education, legal reform, and social protection are key solutions to end child marriage.
