Congresswoman McCollum Continues Her Fight to Protect Girls From Child Marriage in Developing Countries
For Immediate Release: November 4, 2011
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
McCollum Introduces the Child Marriage Violates the Human Rights of Girls Act of 2011
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) introduced the Child Marriage Violates the Human Rights of Girls Act of 2011 (H.R. 3357). This legislation recognizes child marriage as a violation of the most basic human rights.
"Child marriage destroys the lives and futures of thousands of girls every day. The Child Marriage Violates the Human Rights of Girls Act of 2011 is a first step to make the United States a leader in the fight against child marriage." said Congresswoman McCollum. "This bill will require that federal agencies report on activities that prevent this most basic human rights abuse. It does not matter where in this world she lives; an 11 year old girl should never be anyone's wife. "
H.R. 3357 declares child marriage to be a human rights abuse, and advocates for the elimination of child marriage as a U.S. foreign policy goal. Delving further into this global challenge, H.R. 3357requires the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department to collect and publicize data on the prevalence of child marriage and its impact on key U.S. development goals.
Although it's unheard of in the United States, child marriage is still prominent in many developing countries, and the facts are shocking. Every day, over 25,000 young girls – some as young as eight years old – are married before they turn 18 years old. Quite often these young girls marry men who are much older. Child brides are more likely to endure domestic abuse and poverty. They are less likely to finish their education, which drastically limits any opportunity to work and live an independent life.
Countries where child marriage is still practiced today include: Afghanistan, Chad, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Uganda, Zambia, and more.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees.
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