On Saturday, October 11, 2025, as part of the International Day of the Girl Child, Plan International Haiti is calling for a national mobilization to end forced unions and ensure a safe, secure, and opportunity-filled future for Haitian girls. This year's theme, "Girls Free from Forced Unions" underscores the urgent need to protect girls from these harmful practices and promote their rights.

Although child marriage is prohibited in Haiti, early and forced unions continue to rob children of their childhood.

Every year, thousands of girls are forced to live with adults, losing their right to study, decide, and dream.

"Economic hardship forces families to make impossible choices and adopt coping mechanisms, making girls more vulnerable to child trafficking and exploitation, as well as forced unions. They have lost access to education, safe spaces, and basic protection. Urgent action is needed to ensure their safety, freedom, and well-being," said Prospery Raymond, Country Director of Plan International Haiti.

Social beliefs, practices, and expectations surrounding early marriage and gender roles have not changed enough to end this practice. Progress is still too slow.

Plan International works with girls and their communities to end early marriage and violence. Across the country, girls are emerging as leaders in their communities to end early marriage. They must be supported in their initiatives, including through funding, mentoring, and platforms that allow their voices to be heard.

That is why, on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child, Plan is leading a campaign in Haiti to free girls from forced marriage and violence.

S/ HaitiLibre