That the Parliament unequivocally condemns the practice of child marriage; notes that an estimated 12 million girls are married before adulthood each year, perpetuating cycles of poverty, gender inequality and severe health risks; recognises that child marriage is most prevalent in regions with high poverty rates, limited educational opportunities and entrenched gender inequalities; acknowledges that, despite significant progress in India, south Asia harbours the largest proportion of child marriages, with, it understands, over 44% of the global total; expresses concern that nearly one in three of the most recently married child brides are reportedly from sub-Saharan Africa, a significant rise from one in seven just 25 years ago; considers that, in many communities, child marriage is seen as a means to alleviate financial burdens due to the dowry system, bride price and the economic relief of having one less mouth to feed; highlights that child marriage rates rise in fragile settings such as conflict zones, refugee camps and areas affected by natural and climate disasters; emphasises the severe health risks associated with child marriage, including early pregnancy, which poses significant dangers such as obstetric fistula and other complications that make childbirth the leading cause of death among girls aged 15 to 19 worldwide; understands that married adolescent girls are three times more likely to drop out of school than their unmarried peers, thereby severely limiting their future economic prospects; recognises that child marriage is not confined to low- and middle-income countries but persists in high-income nations such as the USA and EU member states; understands that, while child marriage is a traditional practice in some cultures and often endorsed by community leaders and elders, it is not supported by any major religion; is aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted efforts to end child marriage, exacerbated by economic hardships and school closures, potentially leading to an additional 13 million child marriages by 2030; highlights that, although today one in five women aged 20 to 24 (19%) were married as children, compared to one in four (23%) 10 years ago, progress remains uneven as variations within a country can be significant, with prevalence reaching as high as 90% in regions within the Sahelian belt; asserts that preventing child marriage benefits not only individual girls but also contributes to broader societal gains, including improved health outcomes, economic growth and poverty reduction; is shocked and concerned that Iraq is reportedly considering changing the law to allow clerics to decide if girls as young as nine should be married; commends the efforts of UNICEF and UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), whose global programmes it understands have provided 57,000 girls in Nepal life skills education since 2016 to prevent child marriage; appreciates the continued efforts of the charity, Girls not Brides, which has supported 1,400 organisations in over 100 countries to counter child marriage; further appreciates the efforts of ActionAid, which is actively training and supporting local networks of women and men to speak to their neighbours, families, officials and village leaders to highlight the negative effects of child brides, and concludes that, by addressing these issues comprehensively through legal reforms, education, community engagement and international cooperation, significant progress can be made towards eradicating child marriage globally, securing a brighter future for millions of girls and young women.