Girls’ and women’s lives are compromised by being valued less because of their gender. This is exacerbated by emerging global crises, including climate change, conflict, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues have accelerated child, early and forced marriages and unions (CEFMU), a practice that the world has promised to end by 2030 through the Sustainable Development Goals. In fact, data from UNICEF indicates that we are 300 years away from ending child marriage.
Women Deliver is one of the largest, multi-sectoral convenings to advance gender equality. Women Deliver 2023 offers a vital platform for discussions around CEFMU, where grassroot-based advocates, multilateral governments, the private sector, philanthropies, and youth, from all over the world, will come together to address challenges and identify opportunities to advance gender equality. We, at Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage, are excited to participate in this convening alongside some of the most passionate and influential people working to end gender inequality. We hope to inspire collective action, at all levels and across movements, to accelerate action to end CEFMU by 2030.
An official programme for Women Deliver 2023 can be found on the conference website and on the mobile app. Women Deliver 2023 is an opportunity to engage with and learn from others who are working to end CEFMU and gender inequality. In this guide we have highlighted some of our key advocacy messages, key evidence around the drivers of CEFMU, and a curated selection of gatherings and sessions that may be of interest. This guide also introduces our sponsored member delegation from across multiple regions, and attendees from the Girls Not Brides Secretariat - so please do reach out, we would love to meet you.