Washington, DC - (July 18, 2011) More than sixteen thousand U.S. teens and supporters today stood together, calling on the Obama Administration’s continued leadership to end child marriage, a global issue that will lead to 100 million child brides in the next decade if current trends continue.  

Representatives of this teen movement, working with the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up campaign, delivered the signatures to the White House, telling the world that they care about the health and future of their peers in developing countries. They join the coalition of individuals and organizations that have been leading the charge to bring an end to the destructive practice of child marriage, including the International Women's Health Coalition, CARE, The Elders and International Center for Research on Women.

The Girl Up effort is connecting U.S. teens to teen girls around the world to address a global problem that is under-reported and under-represented. Girl Up leverages the power of social media, technology and other communication channels available to teen girls today.

“I’m excited to be part of Girl Up because I don’t think it’s fair that some girls are forced into getting married and bearing children as children themselves,” said Erica Lamberson, local Girl Up Teen Advisor who delivered the signatures to the White House. “I am only one girl, but I know I can make a difference. I’m excited that so many girls across America came together to stand up for the girls who often do not have a voice.”  

One in seven girls in developing countries is married before her 15th birthday—often to a man twice her age or older. Decisions about if and when to marry a girl are often made without her input, and sometimes without her knowledge. Child marriage puts girls, some as young as seven or eight, at risk of problems that will impact the rest of their lives. Girls forced to marry early are more likely to drop out of school, face higher risk of health problems and death, and are more vulnerable to violence.

“We applaud these girls for speaking up on this important issue,” said Gina Reiss-Wilchins, Girl Up Director. “The awareness raised by Girl Up supporters, along with the valiant efforts of the entire anti-child marriage community, will help countries, policymakers and international organizations do everything possible to end child marriage.”

There are over 515 million adolescent girls living in developing countries who are at risk of being forced into early marriage. The Girl Up campaign helps American girls channel their energy and compassion to raise awareness and funds for their sisters in developing countries.

Funds raised through Girl Up support United Nations programs that help the hardest-to-reach girls in such countries as Malawi, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Liberia.

For more information, visit www.GirlUp.org.

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