International Federation of Social Workers: Statement to end child marriages
Statement by the International Federation of Social Workers – Europe region (IFSW Europe) Executive Committee
It has been brought to our attention that a large number of Turkish girls are getting married before the age of 18 – 14 % (UNICEF 2015). Child marriage refers to every union, formal or informal, involving a girl or a boy under the age of 18. Every year 15 million girls are married before the age of 18 and denied their rights to their childhood, health and education.
The International Federation of Social Workers – European Region (IFSW Europe) shares the conviction of the Global partnership to end child marriages: Girls not Brides, that every girl has the right to lead the life she chooses and by ending child marriage, we can achieve a safer healthier and more prosperous future for all.
Ending child marriage by 2030 is since September 25th 2015 one of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development at the UN General Assembly. This will require governments to lead the development and implementation of cross-sectorial policies, programmes and plans addressing child marriage that will be developed and implemented with all ministries and stakeholders.
The social workers of Europe are engaged and will actively participate to this goal and we urge all governments and courts to start respecting every child’s right to be an adult before he or she gets married. This implies not forcing girls to marry because of pregnancy or possible pregnancy.
