From Walk Free

Today on International Day of the Girl Child, we’re celebrating girls in Niger who stand up to forced child marriage.

Sign our pledge calling for an end to forced child marriage around the world.

12-year-old Zainab fled from home with her grandmother to escape becoming a child bride after her older sister was forced into marriage and died in childbirth.[1]

Zeinabou was forced into marriage by her parents at age 15, but refused to accept it and ran away from her new husband four times before the tribal chief granted her a divorce. Now she is re-enrolled in school and on the path she wants to be.[2]

Celebrate the girls who bravely stand against forced marriage and sign our pledge.

We want all girls to enjoy their childhood and not face the risk of abuse and domestic servitude that often follows forced marriage.

iNews Cayman readers have already called on Niger to raise the legal age of marriage for girls from 15 years to 18 to equal men, supporting brave girls in Niger who are fighting back. However on this International Day of the Girl Child over 40,000 girls around the world will be getting married.[3]

In celebration of girls like Zainab and Zeinabou, on their day, join us and show your support for an end to forced child marriage worldwide.

In hope,

Zoe, Kate, Joanna and the Walk Free Team