Member States of the UN are negotiating a resolution on child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) in the 3rd Committee. This resolution will establish a renewed, critical global precedent for all countries to end CEFM. Governments should remain accountable to their previous commitments to end CEFM and to move the global conversation forward in line with SDG target 5.3. See: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/C.3/69/L.23/Rev.1
Action is required as some countries are trying to stall negotiations by calling into question already decided-upon points, such as the use of the term "child, early and forced marriage" or by questioning whether the practice is really harmful at all. These stalling tactics prevent governments from addressing the important issues that will actually help end the practice. Other countries have been trying to undermine the fact that women and girls most often experience CEFM because of underlying gender inequality. This has taken the form of adding "men and boys" throughout the text. Of course we need to engage men and boys in order to address this issue, and no one, regardless of gender, should be forced into a marriage. But women and girls experience higher rates of CEFM, gender-based violence and other harmful practices because they are women and girls, and countries cannot be allowed to ignore this fact. Meanwhile some countries have not spoken up or taken strong positions in support of women’s and girls’ human rights and empowerment and against CEFM. Progressive voices from Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa are especially needed.
For actions you can take see attached Action Alert from the International Women’s Health Coalition.