UNICEF and UNFPA have joined forces to launch the Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage. The Global Programme will:
- Empower adolescent girls at risk of, and affected by, marriage.
- Work with families and communities to promote positive behaviours towards girls.
- Ensure that health, education, protection and other systems are responsive to the needs of girls.
- Support governments in creating a positive legal and policy environment in relation to child marriage.
- Use and build the data and evidence on what works to end child marriage.
India has the largest number of child brides in the world — one third of the global total. Yet recent data indicates that in the last decade there has been a significant decline in the prevalence of child marriage among women now in a particular age range.