ADVOCACY

United Nations Declares 27th November as an International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage

27 minutes ago EDITOR

New York, 4 Sept 2026: To create a child marriage free world, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a landmark resolution establishing 27 November every year as the International Day to End Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The observance of this day will further accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and create a dedicated global platform to strengthen efforts for the health, education and protection of all children, especially girls.

The call for the creation of an International day against child marriage was initiated by Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder of Just Rights for Children, an international network working to protect children from all forms of violence, exploitation and sexual abuse. At Commission for Status for Women in March 2026, he said that the International Day would serve as a global reminder of the need for accountability for unified action by governments, civil society, faith leaders, schools, communities and children. The initiative was advanced through the decisive political leadership of H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who led efforts to advance the initiative before the international community.

Rwanda is a key co-sponsor of this important resolution on child marriage, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening global efforts to protect children and end the practice.

The adoption of the resolution by the 193-member United Nations General Assembly marks a significant milestone-not only in the global movement to end child marriage, but also in the growing international recognition that child marriage is a crime and another form of child sexual abuse.

For Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), today represents the culmination of years of tireless advocacy.

“Today, the world has spoken with one voice: child, early and forced marriage has no place in our societies,” said Dr. Fatima Maada Bio. “This resolution is far more than symbolic-it is a

global mandate for action. As mothers, leaders, and advocates, we have a duty to ensure that every girl is free to dream, to learn, and to thrive, unburdened by the chains of forced union. Sierra Leone is profoundly proud to stand at the forefront of this movement, and we look forward to the tangible progress this day will inspire.”

After the adoption Bhuwan Ribhu, who was also present at the UN General Assembly, said, “Today marks the tipping point showing that the end of the crime of child marriage is inevitable and imminent. 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 realise their full potential.”

He further added, “I am grateful to the first lady of SL, for her global leadership in championing this cause and would also like to thank all countries that cosponsored our resolution.”

About the Office of the First Lady of Sierra Leone: The Office of the First Lady of Sierra Leone, under the leadership of Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, is dedicated to advancing the rights of women and children. Through strategic initiatives and advocacy, the Office focuses on improving access to education and healthcare while leading systemic efforts to eliminate gender-based violence.

About Just Rights for Children: Just Rights for Children is a global child rights network founded by Bhuwan Ribhu. The network is committed to ending all forms of child exploitation, working to ensure that every child, regardless of geography, can enjoy a safe, healthy, and dignified childhood, and the network has prevented and stopped over 550,000 child marriages since 2023.