“We hope to listen to girls affected by child marriage, their parents, their teachers and community leaders – and amplify their needs and concerns in our conversations with government, media and other influential people.”

Ela Bhatt is joined in India by her fellow Elders Desmond Tutu, Gro Brundtland and Mary Robinson at the start of a week-long visit focusing on the empowerment of girls and women.

Ela Bhatt argues that ending child marriage can accelerate progress towards achieving the MDGs. But to tackle this harmful practice, we need to encourage families and communities to value girls for their education, skills and work – not for their fertility.

Ahead of Mandela Day 2011, Ela Bhatt asks how we can live up to Nelson Mandela's example and discusses the power of "thinking local" to change our communities and create a better world.