Human Rights of Women
Championing the cause of gender equality and women's rights, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Saturday called for action to end early and forced marriages in member states.
Of the 20 countries with a high prevalence of child marriages, 12 are in the Commonwealth -- including India.
None of the Commonwealth's democratic or development goals can be achieved without first empowering its girls and women, who represent more than half of the Commonwealth's two billion people, a statement said.
Early and forced marriage is one of the most significant barriers to girls' education, maternal health, female economic empowerment and the realisation of basic, fundamental human rights, it added.
In her address at the inaugural, Commonwealth head Queen Elizabeth II had said: "The Commonwealth theme this year is 'Women As Agents of Change'. It reminds us of the potential in our societies that is yet to be fully unlocked, and it encourages us to find ways to allow all girls and women to play their full part.
"We must continue to strive in our own countries and across the Commonwealth together to promote that theme in a lasting way beyond this year."
The Commonwealth has a strong foundation of commitments, conventions and treaties on which to act towards gender equality, like its Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015.
Apart from the Queen, leaders who have lent support to the call for action are Quentin Bryce, Governor-General of Australia, and former Australian prime minister Malcolm Fraser.
Early and forced marriage affects at least 10 million girls worldwide each year; for most it spells the end of their education, the statement said.
According to Bryce, 26 million girls are born in the Commonwealth every year, or one baby girl almost every second.
"Each one should enter a world where good health, education, and employment opportunities will be hers," he said.