Amal Clooney, renowned barrister and co-founder of the Clooney Foundation For Justice (CFJ), has teamed up with former First Lady Michelle Obama and philanthropist Melinda Gates in a bid to eradicate child marriage. The influential trio has reasserted their commitment to ending this harmful practice, pledging to make a significant impact within a generation.

Child marriage remains a distressing issue around the world, with the United Nations cautioning that it will take another 300 years to completely eliminate this practice. However, Amal, Michelle, and Melinda have expressed their conviction that it is an issue that can be addressed much sooner.

Speaking with BBC News, Amal highlighted the strength of their partnership, saying, "It's been a really lovely and very organic partnership, and friendship, between the three of us." Their shared purpose and determination are evident as they seek to bring about lasting change.

Under the CFJ's initiative, known as Waging Justice For Women, the Women Lawyers Association of Malawi is receiving financial support. The initiative aims to provide free legal advice and aid clinics in remote areas of Malawi, where child marriage is prevalent. These clinics are situated far from roads and electricity, making access to legal aid a significant challenge for girls in these areas.

Amal recently took part in the first clinic held in the Mchinji region, known as one of the country's 12 child marriage "hot spots." During the clinic, which drew an audience of 1,000, including 800 women, she conducted one-on-one consultations. Expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to work with inspirational Malawian women, Amal emphasized the issue of inadequate legal protections for girls across Africa, even in countries where child marriage is prohibited.

The Clooney Foundation for Justice is already supporting legal aid clinics in various countries, including Malawi, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Their aim is to expand this model further across the continent to ensure increased access to justice for women and girls.

During her visit, Amal also had a meeting with Malawi's President, Lazarus Chakwera, who reaffirmed the government's commitment to ending child marriage by 2030 and pledged to allocate necessary resources towards this cause.

Child marriage remains a widespread issue globally, impacting the lives of millions of girls. According to UNICEF, approximately 640 million women and girls alive today were married as children. In Malawi alone, Girls Not Brides reports that 42 percent of girls are married before the age of 18, while 33 percent of girls in Mchinji fall pregnant before reaching that age.

The work of the CFJ, in collaboration with influential figures like Amal Clooney, Michelle Obama, and Melinda Gates, brings hope for a brighter future, where girls can exercise their rights and reach their full potential.