Image via UNICEF
More than 700 million women alive today were married as children. More than one in three (some 250 million) were married before their 15th birthdays.
And this isn’t just happening in one or two small parts of the world, it’s happening in countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
So we're making #endchildmarriage our cause here at Bridal Musings.
Film by Studio 1208
Why Child Marriage?
For some time, we were looking for a cause to support and champion.
We are lucky enough (thanks to you guys!) to have a large following both here on the blog and on social media. And while we love to inspire and advise couples throughout their wedding planning, we wanted to use our reach for some greater good as well.
When UNICEF approached us last year about working on a social media campaign about ending child marriage, we knew it was the perfect fit. Child marriage is not only an important issue that requires urgent awareness, it's also a cause that we feel resonates with our readers; brides, grooms and wedding professionals, that spend so much time working on the ‘happily ever after' aspect of weddings.
So now, weeks on from the launch of our #endchildmarriage campaign, which saw the powerful video above go viral across the world (thanks once again, to you guys!) we wanted to share more ways to help with, and spread the word about, child marriage.
Because for us, this isn't about one viral campaign, blog post, or page view, this is about an ongoing effort to end these dangerous, destructive, and disturbing marriages forever.
A girl who is married as a child is more likely to be out of school, experience domestic violence and become infected with HIV/AIDS. She is more likely to have children when she herself is still a child, and is far more likely to die due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Child marriage must end.
How You Can Help #endchildmarriage
Watch & Share our viral film we created in collaboration with UNICEF.
See & Pin these powerful images that show not all weddings are happy occasions.
Read & Remember these harrowing real life stories from child brides.
Get Informed with our list of organisations and resources below.
How To Help End Child Marriage with your Wedding Day
Your wedding day is a happy occasion, that should be all about you, your other half, and your guests.
That said, more and more couples are embracing the idea of a giveback wedding, and using some of the resources they've put into their big day for good, whether that's donating their flowers to a local hospice or buying Fair Trade chocolates for the dessert table.
If you want to use your wedding day to help end child marriage, here are a few ways to do it:
- Donate to UNICEF or any other organisation that helps fight child marriage (see a list below). This could be a percentage of monetary gifts you receive or by making a donation on behalf of your guests in lieu of favours.
- Sell your wedding dress, and donate some of the profits to a good cause. Brides Do Good is a website that sells pre-loved designer wedding dresses, you get one third of the profits, and a third goes towards programmes working to end child marriage.
- Include our video, a link to a donate page, or simply information on child marriage on your wedding website, to help spread the message with your guests. The power of awareness is not something that can be underestimated with an issue as important as this one.
- Use some of your honeymoon time to volunteer. Work with responsible organisations (see below), with sustainable volunteering programs and use your time and skills to help end child marriage, whether it's through education, empowerment, fundraising or awareness.
Photo by Claire Graham Photography
Organisations Helping to End Child Marriage
There are dozens of organisations working to end child marriage, both on international and local levels, here are a few doing some incredible work…
International Centre for Research on Women
Photo by Claire Graham Photography
Campaigns to Check Out and Share
Theas Wedding Blog – This campaign by Plan International in Norway was a haunting account of planning a wedding as a child bride.
Too Young To Wed Blog – Follow photographer and NGO-founder Stephanie Sinclair and her team's striking images and accounts of child marriage around the world.
One Small Favour – A powerful photoshoot on the theme of child marriage by Shell de Mar, with Plan UK and Rock'n'Roll Bride.
#End Child Marriage – Bridal Musings' own viral campaign in collaboration with UNICEF. This wedding seems normal, but one thing's not quite right.
Photo by Claire Graham Photography
Please share our campaign on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and remember to use the tag #endchildmarriage!
Credits
None of our efforts would have been possible without the incredibly talented and generous vendors below. We are so grateful to each and every one of them for being part of this campaign:
Shoot Coordinator & Stylist: Always Andri Wedding Design / Photographer: Claire Graham Photography/ Videography: Studio 1208 / Video Music by SuRie & Nick Bentley of Studio 1208/ Venue: Nonsuch Mansion / Special Thanks To: Coco Wedding Venues / Stationery: Kate Ruth Romey / Cake Designer: Olofson Design / Wedding Dress: Rock the Frock Bridal / Suit:Alexandra Wood Bespoke / Bridal Accessories: Kelly Spence / Florist: Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design / Linens: Table To Dine For / Hair and Makeup: Jo Irvin Love Hair / Aisle Runner & Chair Covers: Stress Free Hire / Assistant Stylist: Gemma Hallett / Art Direction: Elizabeth & Claire of Bridal Musings
Spread the word, use the hashtag #endchildmarriage