By Kiki Lindenau, Freedom United

This International Women’s Day, we’re not just talking about change; we’re getting ready to power it.  

We’re launching a pivotal campaign aimed at preventing forced child marriage in the United States. Our focus? To urge lawmakers to pass crucial legislation that will  offer better protection for thousands of young girls who predominantly fall victim to this form of modern slavery. 

Join the fight

The U.S. has no national law banning child marriage or setting a minimum age to marry. So far, only ten states have banned marriage below the age of 18 without exception. That means girls in 40 states are still vulnerable to forced child marriage.  

The good thing is that there is momentum: nine states have strong bills pending that could end child marriage.[1] We are targeting their decision-makers to increase that number and will campaign until all 50 states act to stop forced child marriage.  

Why? Increasing the legal minimum age to 18 combats the risk of forced child marriage, as once over 18 women have legal rights that better equip them to resist coercion. This change not only empowers potential victimsbut also clarifies that marrying a minor is a criminal offense, thereby bolstering their protection from potential abuse and exploitation. 

The U.S. has no national law banning child marriage or setting a minimum age to marry. So far, only ten states have banned marriage below the age of 18 without exception. That means girls in 40 states are still vulnerable to forced child marriage.  

The good thing is that there is momentum: nine states have strong bills pending that could end child marriage.[1] We are targeting their decision-makers to increase that number and will campaign until all 50 states act to stop forced child marriage.  

Why? Increasing the legal minimum age to 18 combats the risk of forced child marriage, as once over 18 women have legal rights that better equip them to resist coercion. This change not only empowers potential victimsbut also clarifies that marrying a minor is a criminal offense, thereby bolstering their protection from potential abuse and exploitation. 

Sherry Johnson was married to a 20-year-old deacon from her church in Florida when she was just 11 years old, having been impregnated by the man. She went on to forcefully have five more children in her marriage. At 16, she sought an attorney, but being a child, she did not have access to the legal right to divorce her husband and was forced to continue enduring abuse.  

We are calling on their decision-makers to step up for girls and women! You can get involved by signing our petition to urge lawmakers to sign relevant legislation into law. 

Sign the petition

Forced child marriage is an urgent issue around the world and on International Women’s Day and every day, we are fighting against it.

Thank you for your activism, 

Kiki and the team supporting the Freedom United community 

Kiki Lindenau Advocacy Officer, Freedom United

[1] https://www.unchainedatlast.org/laws-to-end-child-marriage/

©2024 Freedom United is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Human Trafficking Search.
5400 Glenwood Avenue, Suite G-01, Raleigh, NC 27612 USA