The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says investments in education have helped prevent an estimated 68 million child marriages worldwide over the past 25 years, highlighting the importance of protecting girls’ rights and keeping them in school.
The agency attributed the progress to investments in girls’ education, legal reforms and social protection programmes, while calling for stronger efforts to end child marriage globally.
UNICEF made the call in a message to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11, under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”
The agency said progress was possible through measures such as keeping girls in school, expanding access to healthcare and social services, challenging harmful cultural practices, and supporting girls’ leadership.
It urged governments and other stakeholders to accelerate action to ensure that every girl could enjoy her rights and fulfil her potential.
According to UNICEF’s 2026 estimates, about one in five girls worldwide is married before the age of 18, representing approximately 650 million women and girls alive today who experienced child marriage.
The agency also reported that more than 12 million girls are married before reaching adulthood every year, with sub-Saharan Africa recording the highest prevalence at 31 per cent.
UNICEF warned that child marriage deprives girls of opportunities to complete their education, protect their health, live free from violence and determine their futures.
It added that nearly one in four ever-married or partnered girls aged 15 to 19 had experienced intimate partner violence during their lifetime.
The agency further noted that conflict, displacement and other humanitarian crises increased girls’ exposure to child marriage, sexual violence and maternal mortality.
It also raised concerns over educational and employment inequalities, stating that girls aged 15 to 19 were twice as likely as boys to be outside education, employment or training.
In fragile and conflict-affected settings, girls were nearly 90 per cent more likely to be out of secondary school than their counterparts in stable environments, further increasing their vulnerability to child marriage.
UNICEF warned that early marriage could have lasting consequences for girls’ physical and mental health, including social isolation, anxiety and emotional distress.
The agency stressed that investing in girls remained one of the most effective ways to accelerate development and build healthier families, stronger communities and more peaceful societies.
It called on governments, families, communities and development partners to strengthen girls’ access to education, healthcare, protection and social support.
UNICEF maintained that every girl deserved a childhood free from violence and harmful practices, as well as the opportunity to learn, grow and make informed decisions about her future.
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