Child marriage perpetuates cycle of poverty for young people

"What needs to happen is happening, and awareness is certainly being built," Schlecht said. "But this will need to translate into action and support for programs, because eventually we will need to move to more on-the-ground solutions."

The Ford Foundation has committed to doing just that. The organization is working with NGOs, governments, and rural communities and families to effectively end the practice of child marriage.

"One of The Ford Foundation's real signatures is getting resources to groups on the ground in countries that are affected so they lead in developing solutions," Hempel said. Specifically, Ford is helping organizations in affected countires:

• Raise awareness • Scale up interventions • Build political will • Implement solutions that put girls at the center

When crafting solutions it is essential to put education at the forefront and involve as many different groups as possible, Schlecht said. And these solutions need to be implemented soon, she cautioned.

"Until this problem is fully addressed I am quite concerned about those girls who are married, pregnant and out of school," Schlecht said, "because they become quite invisible in society and quite vulnerable."