The Elders

Independent global leaders working together for peace and human rights.

Equality for Girls & Women

Men and women are born with equal rights. Societies with greater equality between men and women are healthier, safer and more prosperous. Equality for girls and women is a core focus of The Elders’ work.

Elders blog Desmond Tutu, 23 March 2012

A moral leader: India’s chance to spearhead efforts to end child marriage worldwide

“Indian communities and their leaders are starting to realise how much potential lies in the empowerment of their sisters, mothers, wives and daughters.”

Despite India's rapid economic growth, it remains home to one third of the world's poorest people – and one third of the world's child brides. After visiting the country with his fellow Elders last month, Archbishop Tutu sees encouraging signs that young people and leaders alike are beginning to put equality for girls and women at the heart of India's development.

News Gro Brundtland, 12 March 2012

Sustainable development, democracy, peace: the key role of women

“Have men done more for peace than have women? I don’t think so.”

Gro Harlem Brundtland delivers the Nadia Younes Memorial Lecture at the American University in Cairo, 12 March 2012.

Photos 08 March 2012

Promoting women’s rights worldwide

Equality for girls and women has been a core focus of The Elders’ work ever since the organisation was founded. To mark International Women’s Day 2012, we revisit some of their work with women in Sudan, the Middle East, Cyprus, Côte d’Ivoire and North Korea.

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Guest blog Girls Not Brides, 22 February 2012

Together we can end child marriage: building momentum in South Asia

"We can end child marriage, because together we can achieve anything." Youth campaigner Nitu, India

In this new video from Girls Not Brides, campaigners from across South Asia – home to nearly half of the world's child brides – explain what motivates them and how they are playing their part in the struggle to end child marriage.

Watch the video

Elders blog Gro Brundtland, 17 February 2012

Unlocking India’s potential: youth lead campaign to stop child marriage

“They want to be part of their country’s tremendous growth and opportunity; they want the chance to grow up before becoming parents themselves.”

After returning from India, Gro Brundtland blogs about the Elders' visit to an innovative youth-led project tackling entrenched attitudes towards child marriage in the state of Bihar.

Photos 15 February 2012

“My life, my decision: stop child marriage”

In February 2012 four Elders travelled to Bihar, India, to meet a group of young people campaigning to stop child marriage. After listening to the teenage girls and boys, Desmond Tutu, Ela Bhatt, Gro Brundtland and Mary Robinson raised the issue with Bihar's Chief Minister, urging him to support the growing movement to end this harmful practice.

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Guest blog Pam Omidyar, 15 February 2012

Catalysing action to end child marriage – on the road with The Elders in India

“It may be hard to measure their direct impact on the global task of ending child marriage, but this visit, for me at least, has me convinced that The Elders are creating a real tipping point.”

Pam Omidyar, founder of Humanity United and member of The Elders' Advisory Council, blogs about joining the Elders in India and their efforts to elevate the issue of child marriage.

Press release 09 February 2012

The Elders: Momentum is building to tackle child marriage in India

At the conclusion of a four-day visit, members of The Elders feel that momentum is building to tackle child marriage in India. During their visit the Elders met with political and business leaders, UN and NGO representatives as well as communities affected by child marriage and grass roots activists working to end the practice.

Press release 08 February 2012

Eminent Indian leaders champion efforts to end child marriage in India

At a meeting in New Delhi co-hosted by The Elders and the Population Foundation of India, a group of Indian leaders from government, law, business, the arts and civil society have agreed to become 'champions for an end to child marriage'.

Press release 07 February 2012

The Elders support efforts to address high child marriage rates in Bihar, India

“We believe that by listening to young people addressing child marriage and supporting their communities, we can make a huge difference in one generation” – Mary Robinson.

Desmond Tutu, Ela Bhatt, Gro Brundtland and Mary Robinson visit a youth-led initiative aimed at preventing child marriage in the Indian state of Bihar, where 69 per cent of women marry before the age of 18.