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Motion · S6M-03740 · 22 Mar 2022

Too Young to Wed is Working to End Child Marriage in Afghanistan

Lodged by Kenneth Gibson (No Party Affiliation) Standard Motion 20 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament congratulates the charity, Too Young to Wed, on the important work that it is doing to empower girls and end child marriage globally; understands that the organisation was set up in 2003 by the American photojournalist, Stephanie Sinclair, after she came into contact with girls at Herat Hospital, Afghanistan, who had set themselves alight to escape abusive marriages that they had been forced into; observes with concern that, following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in August 2021 and subsequent freezing of international aid and government assets, a staggering 96% of Afghanistan’s 38 million inhabitants reportedly do not have enough food, according to the UN refugee agency; notes that extreme poverty has resulted in the incidence of child marriage reportedly increasing as a result by up to 500%, with numerous families selling girls, some as young as seven months, into marriage with men often decades older to pay for food or medical treatment; welcomes that Too Young To Wed has, it understands, already assisted 372 Afghan families reverse sales of girls into marriage by helping them find a sustainable daily income; acknowledges that, as Afghan girls prepare to return to school on 23 March 2022 amid reported international scepticism, Too Young to Wed will continue their fight to end the child marriages in Afghanistan and across the world, and wishes everyone involved with the charity every success.

Supporters (20)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.