CHILD MARRIAGE IN ETHIOPIA

That this House welcomes the Government's clear position against female genital mutilation and forced marriage; notes that there is not much information in the UK about child marriage; congratulates Miss Alemtsahye Gebrekidan, a former child wife in Ethiopia, for forming the Campaign Against Child Marriage in Ethiopia, which works both to raise awareness of the lasting psychological and social impacts of child marriage, and to support former child wives; further notes the latest UN population report which indicates that the population of Ethiopia is currently 74 million of which 30 per cent. or 22 million are under 15 years; believes that child marriage robs countless Ethiopian children of their childhood and opportunities for education; applauds the Ethiopian government for its efforts in reducing poverty especially among women; and now calls on the Government to work with the Ethiopian authorities and community support groups to tackle child marriage if Ethiopia is to meet UN Millennium Development Goals.