Here at Indian Wedding Buzz, you know that we’re all about love. Love in its purest form is kind, compassionate and ever-growing. In fact, one of our missions, beyond providing wedding and cultural inspiration, is to strengthen the relationship and marriage that’s at the core of the wedding.

Naturally then, we stand against child marriage.

Instead, we stand with UNICEF to #EndChildMarriage because we recognise the compromise and risk that girls face when wed before the age of 18.

Keep reading for information about the cause and its importance, or scroll to the bottom to see how to get involved (including a Hard Rock Giveaway for those who donate to end child marriage).

What’s in a Number?

When girls get married before 18, it’s often because of socio-economical reasons or in the name of social norms. In fact, girls are 5X more likely to be married as a child when compared to boys.

We want you to stand with us and vocally reject every reason for child marriage. Because those reasons have led to an annual 12 million (that’s 1 in 5 girls) into becoming child brides.

And if we don’t act now, another 150 million girls will marry before their 18th birthday by 2030.

Those children will lose out on education, their life’s potential and opportunity while being at significant risk of childhood/teen pregnancy and abuse.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by UNICEF (@unicef) on Dec 23, 2018 at 8:45am PST

#EndChildMarriage

The UNICEF initiative to #EndChildMarriage takes aim at empowering the adolescence girls from 10-19 years old in 12 countries where the practice is prevalent:

Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Mozambique, Nepal,Niger, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia.

By leveraging government investments, engaging youth and involving religious leaders, the program will continue to accelerate action towards change.

In 2017, over 1 million girls and 4 million community member were reached with information, skills and services. Through the efforts and funding of both UNICEF and its supporters, 9 of 12 of the countries developed national strategies to #EndChildMarriage.

Here’s the Commitment India Made:

The multisectoral state action plan on ending child marriage launched in Rajasthan (population 69
millions), one of the states with the highest prevalence of child marriage in the country, ensures that the relevant sectors – health, education, social empowerment, local government and rural development – commit to addressing child marriage.

This year, let’s keep the momentum going and push for more change, more results.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by UNICEF (@unicef) on Feb 6, 2019 at 5:55am PST

“When I saw teenage girls who refused to marry, I thought they were rebels.. but now I understand their refusal. They just wanted to defend their rights”

-Ramatou Abdoul Hamidou, 14

Support the Cause. Let’s End Child Marriage.

When UNICEF reached out, we knew that our audience would get behind it. Now, let’s act together.

First, let’s use our platforms. Use #EndChildMarriage to help the awareness go viral. You’ll be in good company, following in the footsteps of celebrities like Beyonce and Orlando Bloom who are speaking out.

Second, let’s fuel the change. Let children be children by paying what you can towards the global efforts to end child marriage. Donate here. 

Donate for a Chance to Win a Hard Rock Getaway

To encourage more donations, we partnered with the world-famous Hard Rock Resorts to giveaway a 3-night trip for 2 to the Hard Rock Riviera Maya.*

All you need to do is send your donation receipt to [email protected] to enter the giveaway by February 20th. There is no minimum amount required, but of course, your generosity is for a great cause. The winner will be announced on February 22nd.*

Best of luck! Donate here. 

*See terms and conditions below

UNICEF x Indian Wedding Buzz.

#EndChildMarriage.

Terms and Conditions: