A/HRC/RES/24/23
Recalling States’ human rights obligations and commitments to prevent and
eliminate the practice of child, early and forced marriage, which disproportionately affects
women and girls,
Deeply concerned by the impact of deep-rooted gender inequalities, norms and
stereotypes, and harmful traditional practices, perceptions and customs that are obstacles to
the full enjoyment of human rights, in particular of women and girls, and are among the
primary causes of child, early and forced marriage,
Deeply concerned that poverty and lack of education are drivers of the practice of
child, early and forced marriage,
Recognizing that child, early and forced marriage continues to be an impediment to
not only the economic, legal, health and social status of women and girls but to the
development of the community as a whole, and that the empowerment of and investment in
women and girls, as well as their meaningful participation in decisions that affect them, is a
key factor in breaking the cycle of gender inequality and discrimination, violence and
poverty and is critical for sustainable development and economic growth,
Recognizing also that the complex and challenging nature of child, early and forced
marriage necessitates the collective efforts of Governments, lawmakers, judicial authorities,
law enforcement officials, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, media, the private
sector and other relevant stakeholders to address the root causes of this practice that exists
in different economic, social and cultural settings,
Recognizing further that the persistence of child, early and forced marriage
contributes to impairing the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and
sustainable and inclusive economic growth and social cohesion, and that therefore the
elimination of child, early and force marriage should be considered in the discussion of the
post-2015 development agenda,
1.
Decides to convene, at its twenty-sixth session, a panel discussion on
preventing and eliminating child, early and forced marriage, with a particular focus on
challenges, achievements, best practices and implementation gaps, and requests the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to liaise with States, relevant
United Nations bodies, agencies, funds and programmes, relevant special procedures, civil
society, including relevant children and youth organizations, and national human rights
institutions, with a view to ensuring their participation and also requests the Office of the
High Commissioner to prepare a summary report on the panel discussion;
2.
Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a report, in
consultation with States, United Nations bodies, agencies, funds and programmes, civil
society and other relevant stakeholders, on preventing and eliminating child, early and
forced marriage, with a particular focus on challenges, achievements, best practices and
implementation gaps, to be submitted to the Human Rights Council prior to its twenty-sixth
session, and to guide the panel discussion.
37th meeting
27 September 2013
[Adopted without a vote.]
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