Victory! Child Marriage Ban Signed by the Mayor

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This web section shares the latest news, trends, and events relevant to Metro DC Chapter social workers, including press releases, policy and issue statements, professional and licensing updates, training announcements, advocacy action alerts, research updates, and other information.

The Metro DC Chapter is one of 55 chapters of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the largest association of professional social workers in the United States. Our nearly 1,000 members serve all populations, including children, adolescents, families, older adults, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and others. They also serve clients in every DC ward and work setting, as well as in the DC metropolitan area such as Northern Virginia and nearby Maryland.

If you are a member of the media seeking an interview, comment, or answer to questions, please contact Executive Director Debra Riggs, CAE, at driggs.naswdc@socialworkers.org.

Victory! Child Marriage Ban Signed by the Mayor

Posted by NASWDC Chapter

posted on February 05, 2025

NASW Metro DC and its child welfare allies are excited that DC Mayor Bowser has signed the Child Marriage Prohibition Amendment Act of 2024 to end forced marriage of children under the age of 18 in the District!

The bill now goes to Congress for review and, if left to stand for 30 days, will become law. This is a victory for the thousands of children—especially girls—in DC, as well as for our chapter, which strongly advocated against child marriages and the frequent outcome of forced pregnancies.

A surprising 37 states still allow underage marriage, despite an agreed-on United Nations goal for the U.S. of banning child marriages by 2030. The U.S. is not expected to achieve that deadline, according to the nonprofit Unchained At Last. Virginia and Maryland are among the 13 states and one territory that have outlawed the practice. Learn more about this issue here.

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