Yes, you read that correctly. 12 year old Thea will be Norway’s first child bride on Saturday 11 October, when she will walk down the aisle to her 37 year old husband to be. Thea has been blogging the entire experience which has naturally sparked national outcry, with hundreds calling child welfare and the police to stop the upcoming wedding.
Image: Plan Norway
So why is Thea doing this and how has this not been stopped?
Thea and her husband to be, are part of an elaborate stunt orchestrated by Plan Norway to engage the population to take immediate action on the UNs International Day of the Girl Child, highlighting the shocking fact that every year, 15 million girls are robbed of their childhood and married before their 18th birthday. The public can digitally attend the wedding and take action to stop it, through donating their social media voice for the day.
Image: Plan Norway
Thea’s marriage has quite rightly provoked outrage in Norway and much of Europe. But on 11 October, there will be 39,000 other girls being forced into a marriage across the world, who have no choice but to go through with it.
Image: Plan Norway
Thea has taken a powerful stand and we invite you to join our call to action to stop child marriage and ensure that all young people have the right to determine their own future.