Day of the Girl: giving girls a voice

“Every three seconds, another girl becomes a child bride.”

11 October marks the first ever International Day of the Girl Child: a chance to amplify the voice of millions of girls everywhere being married off before the age of 18. Join Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu in celebrating Day of the Girl. Help us end child marriage.

Video: Middle East Q&A #1 - the Elders answer your questions

Just after returning from their recent trip to the Middle East, the Elders asked their supporters around the world to send in their questions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Here, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson respond to some of your questions.

Women refuse to be victims of conflict; they are actors for change

Graça Machel and Mary Robinson state that though women are brutalised in conflict, they are not victims; they are actors for change.

Catholicism and tradition subjugate women to 'second class' status

Mary Robinson speaks out against the religious framing of harmful traditional practices that subjugate women. She argues that Catholicism and tradition subjugate women to 'second class' status.

Perpetrators of violence dominate peace talks at the expense of women

Mary Robinson and Lakhdar Brahimi argue that women must be included in the peace-building process.

Mary Robinson speaking on 'Women, Children and Conflict'

Mary Robinson participated in the Global Philanthropy Forum panel 'Women, Children and Conflict' in Redwood City, California. She described some of the stories she heard from women while on a recent trip to Eastern Chad. She also explained how women who have been affected by conflict are building strength by linking up to find more effective solutions to address poverty, gender-based violence, and gaps in opportunity.