UN secretary general Antonio Guterres has called on governments, the private sector, civil society, and community leaders to scale up investment in proven solutions and ensure they reach every girl, everywhere.

Mr Guterres made the call in his message to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child. International Day of the Girl, celebrated annually on October 11,  is a global moment to celebrate girls everywhere, amplifying their voices, actions and leadership.

The UN chief, however, used the 2026 celebration to call for an end to child marriage.

“Together, let us defend the right of all girls to a childhood, and ensure every daughter, every sister, grows up free to shape her own future,’’ he said.

According to him, every three seconds, child marriage cuts a girl’s childhood short and one in five girls worldwide is married before the age of 18.

“Child marriage compromises the education, health, and safety of millions of girls across the globe. Fundamentally, it is rooted in poverty,” stated the UN chief. “The risk goes up in times of conflict, climate shocks, and displacement, leaving families with fewer options for their daughters.”

Mr Guterres said educating girls and providing economic opportunities for their families would halt the harmful practice.

“But we know how to halt this harmful practice. Keeping girls in school, improving economic opportunities for families, enhancing social and legal protections, and challenging discriminatory gender norms all help girls reclaim their agency.

“Over the past 25 years, such solutions have prevented an estimated 68 million child marriages. Yet recent funding cuts threaten progress. At the rate we’re going, it will take centuries to eliminate child marriage,’’ he said.

(NAN)