Journal
The urgent work of ending child marriage in 2026
Twelve million girls are married as children every year. Here is what the Youth Foundation is doing this year — and what still needs to change.
By Abdel · admin
Child marriage is not a distant problem. Across England, Wales, and our home region of North East England, girls continue to be pressured into marriages they did not choose — often under the cover of religious or cultural custom, sometimes shipped abroad during school holidays so that they return already married.
Where we stand today
In 2026 we are running eight community-level programmes in partnership with local schools, three safeguarding helplines, and a growing network of legal-aid partners. Since 2024 we have supported more than 400 young women at risk, with 61 referred into safe housing and 28 placed into training.
What still needs to change
Criminalising forced marriage is only the first step. Survivors need a pathway that is faster than simply calling the police — they need a trusted local voice, somewhere safe to go the same night, and a way to continue their education or work without being found by their family. That is the model we are scaling.
How you can help
Share our work with schools in your area. Volunteer for our weekend workshops. Donate if you can — every £50 places one girl into our vocational-training intake.