Chairman of Sabancı Foundation Board of Trustees, Ms. Güler Sabancı: “Early marriage means violation of the right to education and human rights; sexual abuse; and violence…”

Sabancı Foundationreleased a statement on the issue of child brides after the death of an early marriage victim. Chairman of Sabancı Foundation Board of Trustees, Ms. Güler Sabancı who told about the work of Sabancı Foundation on fighting against the early marriages said: “As we continue to fight with this problem, we support civil society, and we work in collaboration with national and international institutions. To join forces against the prevention of child brides and to attract the world's attention to this problem, we are bringing in international experience to the local level. Finally, the recent incident that affected all of us deeply helped us realize that we should fulfill our responsibility and collaborate to reach a solution on this issue.”

Ms. Sabancı emphasized that another important aspect in combatting early marriages is the education of girls: “In the 21^st century we live in, girls should continue their education until the age of at least 18, until they graduate from high school. This is the most basic human right. So, we can give them the right to determine their future, make healthy choices and become an adult.”

Ms. Güler Sabancı states that early marriage is a form of sexual abuse, violence, and human rights violation: “There are many factors propelling girls into marriage such as economic conditions, obstacles in front of access to education, public pressure, social norms, customs, traditions, religious beliefs, and legislation. We have to show a joint commitment to solve this sensitive issue. We should mobilize all parts of society along with civil society. The sensitivity and determination exhibited in the most recent dismal incidence should set an example.”

Sabancı Foundation has been supporting civil society organizations since 2010 to end child marriages in a holistic manner. The Foundation supported the “Child Brides” project led by the Flying Broom Association at the national level and the “Early Marriage Is Not Our Destiny” project led by the Women Association of Muş at the local level.  Sabancı Foundation also carries out international efforts in collaboration with Girls Not Brides platform to end child marriages. Sabancı Foundation offered its commitment under the title “For the Bright Futures: To End Child Marriages in Turkey and in the World” to the Clinton Global Initiative in 2012.