@JLeslie – the question really came from the news article about the 12 year old girl who was given into marriage (and ultimately gave her life). After reading it, I felt helpless. I felt so far away. So I guess the question took a turn to be “what can I do” and “what can be done for all girls”.
I was thinking along the lines of teaching self esteem and self efficacy, teaching young girls about birth control, teaching children how to be assertive and how to use their resources (like the 10 year old did that @Jeruba mentioned).
I was also thinking of how to educate families (adults and children) how to use talents and develop skills that can be utilized for the family’s financial benefit (thus eliminating the perceived need to receive large dowrys for young girls).
What role does the education of girls play? In what do girls need to be educated? In what do boys need to be educated? Is it more useful to educate children or adults, or do both need to occur?
While marrying off young girls probably doesn’t happen in the same way in the US, there are still many atrocities committed against girls (my mom has had child patients who were given to drug dealers in exchange for drugs… essentially sold into prostitution).
And (here in the US) what can John and Jane Doe do from their suburban neighborhood? Volunteer? Donate to charity? Pray? Post links on their facebook pages?