The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today issued the following statement:

    Child, early and forced marriage threatens the lives and futures of girls and women around the world

“Today, the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee adopted a resolution on child, early and forced marriage, led by Canada and Zambia with 106 co-sponsors. This year’s resolution increases global momentum toward achieving the target, articulated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, of ending the practice. The resolution provides a road map of what must be done to end it and help those affected by it. The widespread support for this resolution is a clear signal that the international community is committed to taking action.

“Child, early and forced marriage threatens the lives and futures of girls and women around the world. It is a violation of their human rights that disrupts their education, jeopardizes their health, makes them more vulnerable to violence and limits their participation in the economic, political and social spheres.

“Gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls and the advancement of their human rights are critical to the achievement of peace, prosperity and sustainable development. Canada is committed to working with the international community to end this harmful practice so that girls around the world have the opportunity to live healthy and empowered lives.”