Take a stand against female genital mutilation ( FGM ) and child and forced marriage today - sign our pledge now to show your support in ending these harmful practices forever. Your voices will be heard at the #GirlSummit.

Child, early and forced marriage occurs in every part of the world, affecting millions of girls every year. 1 in 3 girls in developing countries is married by the age of 18, and 1 in 9 by the age of 15. Some are as young as 8.

Girls who marry young have babies while still children, putting them at risk of death or suffering for the rest of their lives. They are more likely to be poor and stay poor. In the UK, hundreds of girls risk being forced into marriage, violating their human rights. Forced marriage victims can suffer physical, psychological, emotional, financial and sexual abuse.

FGM removes a girl’s right to have control over her own body. Traditionally considered essential for marriage and inclusion in the community, it is an extreme and violent way in which girls and women are controlled and disempowered. It can result in a lifetime of pain, psychological problems and difficulty in childbirth. Current trends suggest at least 30 million girls will be at risk over the next decade - with more than 20,000 at risk in the UK every year.

The Girl Summit on Tuesday 22 July will rally a global movement to end child, early and forced marriage and FGM for all girls within a generation.

Doing this will help preserve girls’ childhoods, promote their education, reduce their exposure to violence and abuse, and allow them to fulfil their potential in life. Everyone has a part to play in achieving rights for girls and women around the world.