Today, 32,000 girls will be forced to become child brides

End child marriage.   Trouble viewing this email? [View it online.](   [CARE](   Before the day is over, more than 32,000 girls will become child brides.   [A girls promise should never be broken by a vow](   Every year, 12 million girls become child brides –  that’s more than 32,000 girls every day who are forced to sacrifice their futures.  Regardless of the reasons, child, early, and forced marriages are acts of violence against girls and their futures. [Fight for girls’ futures by helping families overcome hunger and crisis – two key causes behind why harmful choices like child marriage are made.](   SPECIAL REPORT   How much is her future worth?   Q&A with CARE’s Jenny Conrad and Rachel Hartgen on the Child Marriage Crisis.     Q: Why would a parent or family choose to arrange an early marriage for a girl?   Rachel: In many cases, because of social and gender norms, it may be viewed as more appropriate for a 12-year-old girl to be married and have children. It may also be an economic decision: “Is it the best option for my child to get married and live in another household and be relatively taken care of? Or for her to go hungry in our own household where we can’t afford to feed her?” With fewer options, they’re making the best choice they think is going to work for their families.   Q: What are the consequences for girls who are forced to marry?   Jenny: Studies show those who are married at a young age are more at risk of gender-based violence throughout their life. And obviously, there are the sexual and reproductive health impacts of girls marrying young and being more likely to become early mothers.   Q: Why is early marriage such an urgent crisis in this moment?   Rachel: We’re still grappling with the effects of the pandemic. This has impacted a generation. An additional 10 million girls dropped out of school because of the pandemic. By 2030, thirteen million more child marriages could take place.   Q: What is CARE doing to end the practice of early marriage?   Rachel: We work with families and communities to address the root causes, like social and gender norms, as well as legal constraints that need to be changed. We promote girls’ leadership, activism, and advocacy, and we work to broaden girls’ access to education and economic opportunities, like Youth Savings & Loan Associations.   Q: How would our world be different if girls were encouraged to finish their education and pursue their goals?   Rachel: We would see gender equity in economic, social, and political spaces. Girls would have more ability to choose the jobs they want or start their own businesses and make money for themselves and their families. That would open up other opportunities for them and help break the cycle of poverty.     Help end child marriage.   Give her the confidence and tools to take power over her own future.   [GIVE NOW »](   CARE stands with all girls and their right to their own future.   [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [X](   Text CARE to 227387 to receive SMS updates about your impact around the world. Give to [CARE.org]( 151 Ellis Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303-2420 CARE works around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice. We are known everywhere for our unshakeable commitment to the dignity of all people. [Get fewer emails from CARE or unsubscribe]( © 2023 CARE All Rights Reserved