Leaders of the 54 Commonwealth nations are being urged to end early and forced marriage. One month ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth Australia, the Royal Commonwealth Society and charity Plan International have issued a joint call for action in a new policy paper published today. Entitled Empowering Girls: what the Commonwealth can do to end early and forced marriage, the paper reveals the shocking prevalence and damaging effects of early and forced marriage on girls across Commonwealth. The paper highlights that more than ten million girls are affected by the practice globally every year and of the 20 countries in the world where early and forced marriage is most prevalent, 12 are in the Commonwealth. Associate Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Patrick Wintour says: “Today, early and forced marriage represents one of the greatest barriers to girls’ education, maternal health and economic empowerment. We’re asking leaders meeting in Perth to make good on the commitments they have already made as members of the Commonwealth by working together to end this practice. Now is the time to demonstrate a real commitment to change, not just in word, but in action.” Marie Staunton, Plan International’s UK chief executive says: “Throughout the Commonwealth I’ve met with child brides who bitterly regret being forced to marry. At CHOGM 2011 Commonwealth leaders have the power to give millions of girls a future by ending this pernicious practice, which denies them their rights. Leaders must seize the moment and take action on this issue.” In 2011, the Commonwealth theme is ‘Women as Agents of Change’, offering leaders meeting in Perth the perfect opportunity to deliver tangible change for the women and girls who make up more than half of the Commonwealth’s two billion people. An Eminent Persons Group – tasked with exploring options for Commonwealth reform – are also expected to put strengthening the Commonwealth’s role in protecting and promoting human rights at the very heart of the recommendations for reform they make to leaders in Perth. The policy paper’s key recommendations include: • Ratifying relevant international human rights instruments and strengthening the enforcement of laws so every woman and girl is protected from being married against their will • Funding prevention programmes to support girls, their families and communities to choose education over marriage • Investing in support services for those who escape early and forced marriage