Exclusive: Report reveals hidden reality of child marriage. Three girls share the impact on their lives
CNN’s As Equals series amplifies the findings of Plan International’s 2025 State of the World’s Girls report, which exposes the devastating global impact of child, early, and forced marriage. Drawing from testimonies of 251 girls across 15 countries, the feature illustrates how marriage before 18 drastically limits access to education, employment, and personal agency. The article weaves data with personal stories to show how this harmful practice still affects girls worldwide — from South Asia to Sub-Saharan Africa and even within the United States.
The feature underscores the urgency of systemic change, highlighting how poverty, cultural norms, and weak legal protections perpetuate child marriage. Through Plan International’s evidence-based advocacy and CNN’s global platform, the issue reaches new audiences, calling for increased investment in girls’ education and stronger legal safeguards to ensure every girl can learn, lead, decide and thrive.
Read the in-depth feature: Exclusive: Report reveals hidden reality of child marriage. Three girls share the impact on their lives
