September 23, 2026 – New York City, New York – Global Affairs Canada

“Every girl deserves the right to learn, to lead, to make her own choices and to shape her own future.

“Yet every year, an estimated 12 million girls are married before the age of 18, denying millions their rights, opportunities and potential. Child, early and forced marriage remains one of the most widespread violations of girls’ rights, driven by poverty, inequality, conflict, displacement, climate shocks and harmful gender norms. While progress has been made, it is uneven, fragile and not happening fast enough.

“The consequences are profound: child marriage limits education, increases the risk of early pregnancy and poor health outcomes, and constrains economic opportunity for girls, families and communities. Ending child marriage is not only a human rights imperative, it is one of the smartest investments we can make in a healthier, more prosperous and more equitable future.

“Today, at a time when hard-won gains for women and girls are increasingly under pressure, we reaffirm our collective commitment to ending child, early and forced marriage and achieving Sustainable Development Goal target 5.3 by 2030.

“Protecting progress means protecting the systems, institutions and investments that have enabled gains for girls. In a context of economic pressures, humanitarian crises, climate shocks and competing development priorities, investments in girls’ education, health, protection, social protection and economic empowerment are critical. Prevention must remain at the centre of our response, particularly for girls facing multiple and intersecting vulnerabilities.

“Building on the strong global consensus established through successive United Nations resolutions and drawing on the leadership and experience of countries and regional champions across the world, we call for renewed leadership, partnership and action to protect progress, address persistent inequalities and accelerate results for girls everywhere.

“Together, we commit to:

• protect and advance global commitments to the rights of women and girls, resisting rollback and strengthening accountability for implementation
• champion sustained political leadership and international cooperation to accelerate progress toward ending child, early and forced marriage
• mobilize resources, partnerships and innovative financing to scale proven solutions and strengthen support for women-led, youth-led, survivor-led and community-based organizations
• turn commitments into action through laws, policies, plans, budgets and services that prevent and respond to child marriage across sectors
• reach the girls most at risk, particularly in humanitarian and crisis settings, and support their meaningful participation and leadership, including girls who are married, pregnant or parenting
• strengthen evidence and accountability to track progress, identify gaps and deliver measurable results for girls

“Ending child, early and forced marriage is within our reach. Realizing this goal will require urgency, partnership and sustained commitment. Together, we can ensure that every girl has the opportunity to not only survive, but thrive.”

Issued by the governments of Canada and Zambia on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.