UN Declares International Day to Eliminate Child Marriage

First Lady of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maade Bio (center), and Bhuwan Ribhu of Just Rights for Children (left), outside the UN General Assembly. Credit: Naureen Hossain/IPSby Naureen Hossain (united nations)Friday, September 04, 2026Inter Press Service UNITED NATIONS, September 4 (IPS) - As the 18th session of the UN General Assembly draws to a close, one of the final items in its agenda was to establish an annual observance for the elimination of child marriage, raising the global profile of a pervasive social issue. On Friday, the General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution A/80/L.99, which establishes 27 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early, and Forced Marriage. The resolution was brought forward by Sierra Leone and co-sponsored by at least 66 other countries, including Cabo Verde, Morocco, Costa Rica, Namibia, India, Rwanda, Sudan, and Afghanistan.The resolution calls for governments, UN organizations, civil society groups, and other parties to observe the day through public awareness campaigns, advocacy, and education efforts. It also encourages Member States to implement holistic and multi-sectoral national strategies to abolish early marr...