“Too Young to Wed”

High Commissioner Pillay
Executive Director Osotimehin
Distinguished speakers
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen:

I would like to warmly welcome you to the opening of “Too Young to Wed”, a striking exhibition followed by a high-level debate on child marriage. UNFPA, in association with a group of no less than 18 governments and international and civil society organizations have organized this event, and our appreciation goes to all of them.

The high level of interest and participation in this event speaks to the importance of this issue on the global agenda. So does the fact that it is being held as we begin the 25th Session of the Human Rights Council, and in conjunction with International Women’s Day.

“Empowering girls is a moral imperative - a matter of basic justice and equality.” However, every year, million of girls around the world are married before they turn 18 – robbed of their childhood, their youth, the chance of empowerment and of true opportunity.

We will not build a healthier, safer, more prosperous world unless we end child marriage. The international community has been clear. The Conventions on the Rights of the Child and on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women are just two examples. And actions of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Council, UNFPA and other UN agencies, as well as a number of governments and NGOs such as Plan International have been critical to advancing efforts to end this practice.

Parents, communities and countries all want the very best for their girls. I think we can agree that the best for girls, as for all human beings, comes through education, good health, and broad choices that are to be freely made, not only in regard to marriage, but to all aspects of life.
This discussion and exhibition bring awareness to the fact that the empowerment of girls is a catalyst for a better world. I hope both serve as an inspiration to the international community here in Geneva to take even further action on this issue.

I wish you an interesting and inspired discussion.

Thank you very much.