The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF says approximately one in five girls worldwide is still married before the age of 18, highlighting the need for stronger efforts to protect girls’ rights and end child marriage.

The agency disclosed this as part of its message marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, observed on October 11 under the theme, “End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights!”

UNICEF said about 68 million child marriages had been averted over the past 25 years, attributing the progress to investments in girls’ education, legal reforms and social protection programmes.

Despite the gains, the agency estimated that about 650 million women and girls alive today were married during childhood, while more than 12 million girls continue to enter marriage before turning 18 each year.

Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest regional prevalence, with 31 per cent of girls affected, according to the agency.

UNICEF warned that child marriage undermines girls’ access to education, healthcare and protection, while exposing them to violence, social isolation and long-term physical and mental health challenges.

The agency also highlighted the risks facing adolescent girls in crisis-affected communities, noting that conflict, displacement and other emergencies increase their vulnerability to child marriage, sexual violence and maternal mortality.

It added that girls aged 15 to 19 were twice as likely as boys to be outside education, employment or training. In fragile and conflict-affected settings, girls were also significantly more likely to be out of secondary school than those living in stable environments.

UNICEF said keeping girls in school, expanding access to health and social services, strengthening protection systems and working with families and communities to challenge harmful social norms were among the measures needed to accelerate progress.

The organisation called for greater investment in girls’ rights and leadership, stressing that sustained action was necessary to ensure every girl could complete her education, make informed choices and fulfil her potential.

It urged governments, communities and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to end child marriage and ensure girls could grow up safely, with equal opportunities to learn and participate in society.