UN Women more than 250 million 15-year-old girls globally are already married.

It says too many are facing the likelihood of HIV infection, especially given the high unmet needs for family planning.

It calls on the world to repeal discriminatory laws that create barriers for girls to attain their basic need.

These include laws that will obstruct their attendance in school, access to the healthcare and to qualify for decent jobs and earn equal pay.

In a statement issued by the Executive Director of UNWOMEN, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the UN body is lobbying for governments and employers to offer support and social services to girls.

“We’re determined that it will not take another 15 years to bring these girls better chances in life,” partly read the statement.

“We are calling for all countries to repeal discriminatory laws that create barriers for girls, whether to attend school, to access the healthcare they need, to qualify for decent jobs and earn equal pay.”

Leaders of several countries including South Sudan are committing themselves to ending child marriage or female genital mutilation, according to the UN.

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka made the statement as the world celebrates the International Girl Child Day which is celebrated every year on the 11^th of October.