Girls Not Brides Announces Dr. Alaa Murabit as New Chair of its Board of Trustees
Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage is proud to announce the appointment of globally renowned advocate for women’s rights, Dr. Alaa Murabit, as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees, effective October 14, 2024.
Dr. Murabit is currently Director of Program Advocacy and Communications for Health at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. A medical doctor, she is also the founder of the Emerging Leaders Lab, where she has championed the rise of young leaders worldwide and was a critical contributor to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She brings to Girls Not Brides deep experience across diverse regions and sectors—including industry, government, community, and philanthropy—and a proven track record of driving transformative change through inclusive, community-driven approaches. Her personal commitment to ending child marriage is informed by both professional expertise and personal experience, having witnessed its impact on communities and individual lives.
Dr. Murabit’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Girls Not Brides as the organisation deepens its engagement with at the national-level local communities and strengthens collective action to end child marriage. At this pivotal moment for the global movement, her visionary leadership will be instrumental in accelerating progress towards ending child marriage globally.
Dr. Murabit will succeed Dr. Anne T. Gallagher, who has served as Chair since September 2021. Under Dr. Gallagher’s leadership, Girls Not Brides underwent a period of significant transformation, including aligning its strategies and structures more closely with the communities and regions it serves. Her steadfast commitment to justice, equality, and human rights has left an indelible mark on both Girls Not Brides and the global movement to end child marriage.
Reflecting on her appointment, Dr. Murabit stated:
I am deeply honoured to join Girls Not Brides as Chair of the Board of Trustees. The global movement to end child marriage is at a critical juncture, and I am dedicated to ensuring that the voices of women and girls are at the forefront of our efforts. Together, we will continue to build on the incredible progress made, fostering deeper partnerships and collective action to ensure that every girl has the freedom to make her own choices and fulfill her potential.
Dr. Alaa Murabit
Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell, CEO of Girls Not Brides, warmly welcomed Dr. Murabit, saying:
We are thrilled to have Dr. Alaa Murabit lead us into this next phase. Her expertise, deep passion, and steadfast commitment to the rights of women and girls will be critical for our organisation as we intensify our efforts to end child marriage globally. Dr. Murabit’s transformative leadership and vision will guide the work of Girls Not Brides towards a world where every girl has the freedom to pursue her potential and the opportunity to thrive without the threat of early marriage.
Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell, CEO of Girls Not Brides
Outgoing Chair Dr. Anne T. Gallagher also expressed her full confidence in Dr. Murabit’s leadership, adding:
Dr. Murabit is exactly the leader Girls Not Brides needs at this time. Her ability to connect with communities and drive meaningful, lasting change will ensure that this movement continues to grow stronger. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited to see how the organisation will flourish under her guidance.
Dr. Anne T. Gallagher
Dr. Murabit's appointment reinforces Girls Not Brides' strategic focus on localisation and collective action. The global Girls Not Brides community looks to the future with renewed energy and determination, united under her leadership.
About Girls Not Brides
Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage is a partnership of more than 1,400 civil society organisations from nearly 100 countries, committed to ending child marriage and enabling girls to fulfil their potential. The organisation’s vision is a world without child marriage, where girls and women in all their diversity enjoy equal status with boys and men in all aspects of life.
To find out more about Dr. Alaa Murabit, please read her biography or visit her website.
Contact: media@girlsnotbrides.org
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In the time it has taken to read this article 41 girls under the age of 18 have been married
Each year, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18
That is 23 girls every minute
Nearly 1 every 2 seconds