Today is the first-ever International Day of the Girl. This is a day to celebrate the fact that it is girls who will change the world; that the empowerment of girls holds the key to development and security for families, communities and societies worldwide.

Working to bring together non-governmental agencies from around the world, Girls Not Brides is confronting a practice that prohibits 10 million girls -- annually -- of the right to an education, health, and security.

While the practice of child marriage has been rooted in the traditions of many communities for generations and has remained largely unchallenged, this is all about to change.

The Elders, an organization of eminent global leaders first convened by Nelson Mandela, have announced the launch of a major global initiative dedicated to ending child marriage within a generation.