Can we end this nightmare in one generation? Experts think that child marriage could rise as we face a global climate crisis. Three of the world’s most powerful women want to make sure it does not happen.
40m girls face forced child marriage by 2050
Power of three: Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney and Melinda French Gates (left to right) announced their collaboration to end child marriage. Glossary
Ethiopia - A landlocked country in Africa. With a population of about 120 million, Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures.
Drought - A time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry.
UN - United Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.
Estimates - A guess or prediction based on facts.
UNICEF - A UN agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
Climate crisis - As humans release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (such as by burning fossil fuels), this slowly raises the Earth's average temperature. In addition to global warming, this also makes extreme weather more likely.
Amal Clooney - A lawyer who specialises in human rights.
Melinda French Gates - An American philanthropist. She is the ex-wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates.