UN declares November 27 International Day to end child marriage

The United Nations General Assembly has declared November 27 every year as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage, in a landmark move aimed at accelerating global efforts to end the practice.

The historic resolution was championed by Sierra Leone’s First Lady and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, alongside Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of Just Rights for Children.

The establishment of the international day is expected to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals while providing a dedicated global platform to strengthen efforts to protect children, particularly girls, and improve access to education and healthcare.

The campaign for the creation of an international day against child marriage was initiated by Ribhu, founder of Just Rights for Children, a global network working to protect children from violence, exploitation and sexual abuse.

Speaking at the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2026, Ribhu said the proposed international day would serve as a global reminder of the need for accountability and coordinated action by governments, civil society organisations, faith leaders, schools, communities and children.

The initiative received strong political backing from Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, who led efforts to build international support for the resolution and advance the campaign before the global community.

The adoption of the resolution by the 193-member United Nations General Assembly marks a major milestone in the global campaign against child marriage and reflects growing international recognition of the practice as a crime and a form of child sexual abuse.

For Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of OAFLAD, the development marks the culmination of years of sustained advocacy for the rights and protection of children and girls.

“Today, the world has spoken with one voice: child, early and forced marriage has no place in our societies,” Dr. Fatima Maada Bio said.

She added: “This resolution is far more than symbolic—it is a global mandate for action. As mothers, leaders, and advocates, we have a duty to ensure that every girl is free to dream, to learn, and to thrive, unburdened by the chains of forced union. Sierra Leone is profoundly proud to stand at the forefront of this movement, and we look forward to the tangible progress this day will inspire.”

Ribhu, who was also present at the UN General Assembly during the adoption of the resolution, described the development as a major turning point in the global campaign to end child marriage.

“Today marks the tipping point showing that the end of the crime of child marriage is inevitable and imminent. Now is the time for governments to provide decisive leadership to end child marriage by 2030 and ensure education, protection and development of every child to realise their full potential,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to Sierra Leone’s First Lady for her leadership and thanked the countries that co-sponsored the resolution.

The Office of the First Lady of Sierra Leone, under the leadership of Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, focuses on advancing the rights of women and children through strategic initiatives and advocacy. Its programmes include efforts to improve access to education and healthcare and strengthen measures to eliminate gender-based violence.

Just Rights for Children is a global child-rights network founded by Bhuwan Ribhu. The organisation campaigns against child exploitation and seeks to ensure that children, regardless of their location, enjoy a safe, healthy and dignified childhood. The network says it has prevented and stopped more than 550,000 child marriages since 2023.