VOW to end child marriage
Every year, millions of couples celebrate their love by getting married and millions of their family and friends celebrate with them. In the U.S. alone, Americans spend $100 billion on weddings annually. Think invitations, wedding dresses, rings, venues, flowers, gift registries, honeymoons and more all on saying “I do.” But at a time when a child is married somewhere in the world every three seconds, who’s invested in making sure that girls can say, “I don’t” or “not yet”? Let’s work together to create a world in which every girl can decide if, when and whom to marry.
VOW FAQs
What is VOW?
We believe every girl has the right to a safe and healthy future, including the right to choose if, when and whom to marry. VOW is a 501c3 that gives couples, companies and the public the power to help end child marriage. VOW’s board members include Mabel van Oranje, initiator and chair of Girls Not Brides, Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, and Margaret Hempel, executive director, Reproductive Health and Women’s Rights Collaborative. Clay Dunn is the Chief Executive Officer of VOW.
How can I support VOW?
Couples, their guests and friends can support VOW in the planning and celebration of their marriage by donating directly to VOW, purchasing VOW products or aligning their wedding registries with VOW.
How do brands become a VOW partner?
We would love to hear from you! E-mail us at partners@vowtoendchildmarriage.org
Where does the money go?
100% of the funds raised support grassroots efforts around the globe working to ensure girls can create their own futures. In 2019, 150 community organizations in six countries received grants dispersed through our sister organization, the Girls First Fund. Ninety percent of the grants were made to young women and women-led organizations.
Why the wedding industry?
Every year, millions of couples celebrate their love by getting married and millions of their family and friends celebrate with them. VOW thinks: what if we could share this love to do something bigger? In the U.S. alone, we spend $100 billion on weddings each year. More than 91% of couples register for wedding gifts and $19 billion is spent on gifts. 93% of millennial wedding guests would purchase a gift from a couple’s registry if a charity contribution is included free of charge. VOW is engaging this tremendous industry to help to end child marriage.
Does VOW profit from the sale of products or money donated to the organization?
No. 100% of funds raised from individuals and VOW brand partners goes to support grassroots efforts that empower girls to choose their own future. VOW fundraises separately for its operational costs from foundations and generous individuals.
Is VOW a 501c3?
Yes, VOW is a registered 501c3.
Why does VOW partner with the Girls First Fund?
The Girls First Fund has grantmaking expertise but is not designed to mobilize or accept donations from the public. VOW and the Girls First Fund complement and build on each other’s expertise.