
AI-generated summary
Child marriage is defined as a union in which at least one partner is under the age of 18. According to Unicef data cited in the article, globally approximately one in five girls is married off before the age of majority, with over 650 million women and girls alive today having undergone this practice. The phenomenon is particularly widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, where it reaches 31%. Over the last 25 years, thanks to investments in girls' education, legislative reforms and social protection, approximately 68 million child marriages have been prevented.
Around the world, approximately one in five girls is married off before turning 18. There are approximately 650 million women and girls alive today who have contracted early marriages. Every year more than 12 million girls - about one every three seconds - are married off before reaching the age of majority, with the highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa (31%). This is stated by Unicef Italy which on the occasion of the Day of Girls and Young Women relaunches the 'Don't stay silent' campaign with the focus on preventing stereotypes.
Early marriage, UNICEF underlines, remains one of the most widespread violations of the rights of girls, denying millions of them the opportunity to go to school, protect their health, live free from violence and be able to develop their potential. Child marriage can have serious and lasting consequences for the life, physical and mental health of girls, increasing risks of social isolation, anxiety and emotional distress at a time when self-harm is a leading cause of death for adolescent girls aged 15-19 globally.
However, thanks to investments in girls' education, legislative reforms and social protection, around 68 million child marriages have been avoided over the last 25 years, demonstrating that progress is possible when girls are supported and their rights protected. Among the solutions identified by Unicef; ensure that girls continue to attend school; expand access to health, protection and social services; work with families and communities to challenge harmful norms; invest in girls' rights and support their leadership.
As part of the "Do not remain silent" campaign, dedicated to combating gender violence, with a focus on adolescent girls, Unicef Italy promotes, with a new visual, an education that questions stereotypes, which undermines imposed roles, towards the full realization of children, girls and boys in Italy and around the world. "Violence can be prevented before it happens - underlines the president of Unicef Italy Nicola Graziano -: by educating girls and boys to recognize stereotypes, respect the autonomy of others and build relationships based on freedom, consensus and reciprocity. What girls and boys learn today contributes to building the relationships of tomorrow. We need to promote knowledge and permanent awareness on the issues of affectivity and relationship education in school and extracurricular contexts".
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The 'Don't stay silent' campaign will lead to increased awareness of gender stereotypes in Italian schools in the coming months.
Likely · Within months
Continued investment in girls' education and social protection will lead to a further reduction in child marriage in the coming years.
Likely · Within months

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