The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns over the continued prevalence of child marriage, reporting that one in five girls globally is still married before the age of 18, despite efforts that have prevented 68 million child marriages in the past 25 years.
The agency disclosed this in a message marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, observed on October 11, with the theme, “End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights!”
UNICEF attributed the progress recorded so far to investments in girls’ education, legal reforms and social protection programmes but warned that millions of girls remain vulnerable to early marriage.
The organisation called for stronger action to protect girls, urging governments and communities to expand access to education, healthcare and social services while addressing harmful cultural and social practices.
“We have the solutions: keeping girls in school; expanding access to health, protection and social services; working with families and communities to challenge harmful norms; investing in girls’ rights and supporting their leadership,” the agency stated.
UNICEF noted that approximately 650 million women and girls alive today were married during childhood, while more than 12 million girls are married before turning 18 every year — equivalent to roughly one girl every three seconds.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region with the highest prevalence of child marriage, with 31 per cent of girls affected, according to the agency.
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The organisation also highlighted the dangers of violence against adolescent girls, revealing that nearly one in four girls aged 15 to 19 who have been married or partnered has experienced intimate partner violence.
It warned that conflict, displacement and humanitarian crises further expose girls to child marriage, sexual violence and maternal mortality.
UNICEF added that adolescent girls are twice as likely as boys to be outside education, employment or training. In fragile and conflict-affected settings, girls are nearly 90 per cent more likely to be out of secondary school than their counterparts in stable environments, increasing their vulnerability to early marriage.
The agency stressed that child marriage deprives girls of opportunities to continue their education, protect their health, escape violence and realise their full potential.
It also warned that the practice can have long-term consequences for physical and mental health, including social isolation, anxiety and emotional distress.
Reaffirming the need for sustained investment in girls, UNICEF said ensuring their safety, education and empowerment would benefit not only individuals but also families and communities.
“Every girl deserves a childhood. Every girl deserves the freedom to learn, to grow, to make her own choices and to define her own future. Yet millions of girls are still denied that freedom,” the agency said.
UNICEF urged stakeholders to accelerate efforts to end child marriage, stressing that protecting girls’ rights and supporting their leadership were essential to building healthier, more peaceful and prosperous societies.