Dear friend,

For many people around the world, November signals the start of winding down toward the end of the calendar year. For people like us in the movement to end child marriage, this month brings an important moment to come together and accelerate change.

The 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, 25 November – 10 December, is a key opportunity for the movement to make a true difference in girls’ lives. Girls at risk of child marriage cannot afford for us to slow down, because the cost will be their futures.

                                                                        Act now

We were in touch last month to tell you about the Power to Girls campaign and ask for your support urging global leaders and duty bearers to make tangible commitments to end child marriage. Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders and former President of Ireland, made her commitment at the launch of Power to Girls.

“I support Power to Girls by committing to empower girls. We must address the issue of poverty and marginalisation, which lead to child marriage."

We are so excited to see commitments from those working at the grassroots, in civil society organisations, in governments and as activists, but we need more! The more voices we raise, the louder our global call to end child marriage will be.

This 16 Days we are launching a social media campaign asking supporters like you to share their Power to Girls commitment and take part in our Ribbon Challenge. To help us amplify the Power to Girls message, tie a ribbon in any colour around your wrist, on your hair, a fence, tree or lamppost – or anywhere creative! -  and share a photo of it on social media with your commitment to ending child marriage. Remember to use the campaign hashtag - #PowerToGirls!

Join us by sharing your commitment and help us urge decision makers to take action too.

Thank you for your ongoing support and being a key part of the movement to end child marriage.

In solidarity,

Girls Not Brides

Further reading

• What have we learned from a decade working to end child marriage? Girls Not Brides is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2021. We spoke to National Partnerships around the world to find out what their most important lesson was from the last 10 years.
• The UN Human Rights Council adopted its 5th resolution on child, early, and forced marriage. Girls Not Brides welcomed the resolution alongside our member organisations around the world.
• Towards Ending Child Marriage: Global trends and profiles of progress: UNICEF’s latest report on progress to end child marriage launched in October, focusing on countries that have recorded significant declines in child marriage prevalence