In her latest op-ed posted in Townhall, Concerned Women for America’s CEO and President Penny Nance, draws attention to the atrocity of child brides that affects more than 650 million girls worldwide.

From the article: “The effects on girls forced into marriage at such an early age are detrimental and impact their whole life: literacy, health, and overall well-being. Girls under the age of 15 are five times more likely to die in childbirth, and just as devastating, a child born to a child bride is 60% more likely to die in their first year of life.

“The United States must step forward and work to end the practice of child brides. We cannot ignore girls’ lives being ruined by being forced into a marriage when they should still be playing at recess. As women, we cannot remain blind to this reality. There are no simple answers, but there are some bottom line principles. U.S. aid to offending countries should be tied to reform … ”

Read the full piece here.