Many girls grow up dreaming about their wedding day. But for millions of girls across the world, the dream can become a living nightmare if they are married off while still children.

In 2010, nearly 70 million girls in developing countries, excluding China, were married before they turned 18, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Ending child marriage is the focus of the first International Day of the Girl Child, observed on 11 October.

Dianne Penn reports.

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