Unchained and its allies’ work to end child marriage in every US state continues to yield results. First it was New York, then Virginia; now the progress is in Maryland, where a bill has been introduced to eliminate two dangerous exceptions to Maryland’s minimum marriage age that currently allow children as young as 15 to wed.
Since 2000, more than 3,000 child marriages have occurred in Maryland, including nearly 150 that involved children age 15 or even younger. Some 85% of the children married were girls.
Unchained, in partnership with Tahirih Justice Center, worked with Del. Vanessa Atterbeary to draft the bill (HB0911), and both organizations will testify in support March 3 in Maryland. You can show your support – in Maryland and across the US – by signing the petition.
In New York, the bill Asw. Amy Paulin introduced to end child marriage (A8563) remains pending; Unchained is working with Sanctuary for Families to get it passed. In Virginia, due to Tahirih’s hard work, a bill (S415) is advancing in the legislature. In New Jersey, expect to hear an announcement soon about legislation introduced.