Round table discussion on preventing early child marriage
Place: “Swiss Diamond Hotel”, Prishtina
Date: 11 October 2012, 09:30 – 12:30
On November 17, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/66/170) designating 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child. Ending “child” marriage was chosen as the theme for the first International Day of the Girl Child.
Over 30% of girls in developing countries are married before 18 years of age; around 14% are married before the age of 15. Early marriage is a risk factor for early pregnancy and poor reproductive health outcomes. Furthermore it perpetuates the cycle of under-education and poverty. “Child marriage is an appalling violation of human rights and robs girls of their education, health and long-term prospects. A girl who is married as a child is one whose potential will not be fulfilled. Since many parents and communities also want the very best for their daughters, we must work together and end child marriage.” says Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, the Executive Director of UNFPA.
The new Fact Sheet on Early Marriage in Kosovo indicates the prevalence of this phenomenon among Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, but not excluding other communities as well. It calls upon the Government, civil society and other relevant actors to take urgent action to end the harmful practice of child marriage and to enact and enforce appropriate legislation, raise public awareness about child marriage as a violation of girls’ human rights and address the root causes underlying child marriage, including gender discrimination, low value of girls, poverty and cultural justifications.
To mark the first celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October 2012, the UNFPA Office in Kosovo will host a Round Table discussion with Government officials, parliamentarians, civil society and experts, on the issue of early marriages, factors that contribute to it, its health and social effects and how to prevent it.
To see the agenda click here.
For more information please contact Ms. Visare Mujko-Nimani at: nimani@unfpa.org or 044 115 670
