Millions of girls worldwide are affected by child marriage, a practice that denies them education, opportunity and self-determination. By supporting VOW for Girls on your wedding day, you can push back against it. By donating part of your budget or asking your guests for contributions, you create real change.
The global problem of child marriage
Child marriage is deeply rooted in traditional and socio-economic structures. It often arises from a combination of poverty, social norms and a lack of educational opportunity. In some regions early marriage is seen as financial relief or supposed protection, and weak legal frameworks allow it to persist. The consequences for the girls are severe: interrupted education, a higher risk of violence and health problems, economic dependence. VOW for Girls works precisely here, strengthening communities so girls can choose their own path free from coercion.
What is VOW for Girls?
VOW for Girls promotes education, health education and leadership skills for girls so they can shape their own lives. CEO Clay Dunn drives the global strategy and resource mobilisation. In Austria the wedding planner Verena Krenn, founder of Verena Krenn Events, supports the mission as an ambassador and provides locally relevant, German-language materials. Both are convinced the wedding industry is a powerful platform to strengthen girls’ rights. Concretely, VOW delivers:
- Financial support for local organisations for education and awareness that show alternatives to child marriage.
- Self-determination and independence through education and training programmes.
- Health education, so girls can make informed decisions.
- Leadership initiatives that encourage girls to take responsibility in their communities.
What your donation achieves
Even small amounts achieve a great deal compared with our own society. This overview shows what individual donation levels finance:
| Donation | Example of the measure it funds |
|---|---|
| €4 | enrolment fee for a girl to attend school for one month |
| €9 | school materials for a girl for one month |
| €12 | transport for a young woman to attend vocational courses for three months |
| €44 | enrolment for a girl for a full year of school |
| €55 | room rent for a girls’ leadership club for one year |
| €107 | school materials for a girl for one year |
| €170 | all costs for a girl to attend school for a year |
| €328 | transport for 25 women to attend vocational courses for three months |
| €573 | start-up costs for a young woman to launch a small business |
| €1,445 | running and maintaining a girls’ leadership club for a year |
| €2,652 | funding a community health centre for a year |
What can your wedding change?
Say you plan a celebration with a budget of 30,000 euros and donate 1 to 5 percent of it, that's 300 to 1,500 euros. That already achieves a lot:
- At 300 euros: 6 girls could attend school for a month, or 33 girls receive school materials for a month.
- At 1,500 euros: 3 girls could attend school for a whole year, 14 girls be equipped with materials for a year, or a leadership club run for almost a year.
A leadership club is a structured environment where girls build confidence and life skills through education, mentoring and practical experience, precisely where traditional roles or economic limits would otherwise restrict access.
How to involve your guests
Instead of traditional gifts, you can ask your guests for contributions. Proven ways:
- Inform in advance: explain in the invitation, on your wedding website or in a short video why the cause matters to you.
- Charitable wedding registry: instead of gifts, a donation list with concrete options, straight to VOW online.
- Donations instead of favours: a small card at each place explains that a donation was made in each guest’s name.
- Interactive activities: a silent auction or raffle whose proceeds go to VOW.
- Matching gifts: you or a sponsor doubles each donation up to an amount, a strong incentive.
- Thank-you notes: a short update after the wedding on how the donations were used.
Even a small percentage of your budget has a tangible effect, far beyond the wedding day. When you link your celebration to a good cause, you celebrate your love and share it at the same time. Donate to VOW for Girls now.
