News & Stories

Child Marriage

Prayers

Matthew 25: Prayer for children’s protection

Child labor and exploitation, female genital mutilation (FGM), and human trafficking are among the greatest evils in the world. Pray with us for an end to all harm against children and for World Vision’s work to protect children.

From the Field

A dream unbroken: Sumaiya’s stand against child marriage

In northern Bangladesh, Sumaiya faced the all-too-common prospect of child marriage when she was 16, a practice still prevalent in her region. With her parents working in a different town, her grandparents, under financial strain, arranged for her marriage. Through Sumaiya’s determination and involvement with her adolescent club, part of a World Vision initiative promoting social justice and education for girls, the marriage was called off, and Sumaiya is helping other girls in her community experience more hopeful futures.

From the Field

Clean water helps Sarah reconsider marrying too young

When Sarah lost her father in 2010, her life took a drastic turn for the worse. The family went hungry, not cooking because they tried to limit their water usage. Challenges like these combined to make Sarah consider marrying young as a way out of the troubles. In 2020 her waiting paid off when World Vision drilled a borehole in her community. Now she concentrates on school and doesn’t even consider marrying at this time.