Urge the Pennsylvania General Assembly to Pass Legislation to End Child Marriage

Worldwide, more than 650 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday. Some of them are right here in the United States.

UNICEF calls child marriage a harmful practice and a violation of child rights, and believes that marriage under age 18 should be prohibited in all circumstances. The risks are just as real for child marriages in the U.S. as they are in developing countries.

Call on your State Representative and State Senator in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to end child marriage with zero exceptions by cosponsoring HB 360/SB 81.

You can play a vital role in ending child marriage with zero exceptions across Pennsylvania.

Subject:

Your vote can help end child marriage in Pennsylvania

Dear Official,

As a UNICEF supporter, I stand for the rights of all children to live a life free from violence and exploitation. I believe that these rights extend to children who may be forced into marriage right here in Pennsylvania. This is why I support the passage of HB 360/SB 81 to make 18 years old the minimum age of marriage in the State of Pennsylvania. As a Pennsylvania resident, I urge you to cosponsor this bill.

Worldwide, more than 650 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday, some here in the United States. UNICEF calls child marriage a harmful practice and a violation of child rights and states that marriage under age 18 should be prohibited in all circumstances.

In all cases, child marriage has negative impacts on children. It leads to separation from family and friends, lack of freedom to interact with peers and participate in community activities, and decreased opportunities for education and economic participation. Because child marriage often results in child pregnancy, girls married at a young age face serious health risks. Teenage girls are much more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than women in their twenties. In addition, childhood pregnancy increases risks of nutritional deficiencies for both mother and baby, with permanent consequences.

These risks are just as real for child marriages in the United States as they are in developing countries. For the sake of protecting children from abuse and protecting their futures, I believe that every single U.S. state—especially Pennsylvania—must take legislative steps to ban child marriage.

Please cosponsor HB 360/SB 81 for the children of Pennsylvania.

Thank you for your consideration, Your Name

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Thank you for taking action. Please visit unicefusa.org/advocate to see other ways you can help.

Hello,

On Thursday, A865/S427, a bill that would end child marriage in New Jersey with zero exceptions, passed the state legislature.

As a supporter of UNICEF and New Jersey resident, I urge Governor Murphy to sign this bill and demonstrate that child marriage is a harmful practice and violation of child rights.
For the sake of protecting children from abuse and protecting their futures, I believe that every single U.S. state—especially New Jersey—must take legislative steps to ban child marriage.

Please sign A865/S427 for the children of New Jersey.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.