Today, Tuesday 11th October, is recognized internationally as International Day of the Girl Child, under the theme – “Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress: A Global Girl Data Movement” .  The United Nations says one key issue that is standing in the way of girls’ progress is child marriage. The data is daunting—one in three girls in developing countries get married before they turn 18. Girls who are child brides miss out on education, are more vulnerable to physical and sexual violence, and bear children before they are physically or emotionally prepared. In St Lucia the Department of Human Services says while child marriage is not an issue, it by no means that rampant exploitation of girls is not taking place.

UN women notes that cycle of violence that begins in girlhood, carries over into womanhood and across generations.

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