UNICEF reported on 11 October 2026 a decline in child marriage in Ethiopia, saying the proportion of young women married before the age of 18 fell from 40 per cent in 2016 to 32 per cent in 2025. In the release, published on International Day of the Girl, the agency attributed the change to government leadership, community engagement and sustained support for girls, and said girls are also marrying later.

Ethiopia was preparing a second National Costed Roadmap to End Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation for 2026-2031, building on a 2014 commitment. The plan was to set priority actions, responsibilities and progress-tracking mechanisms. A government-led national alliance was to coordinate government institutions, community organizations, development partners, religious leaders and women's groups.

UNICEF said its work through the UNFPA–UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage supports keeping girls in school, strengthening their skills and expanding protection services. It cited support from the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, the Gates Foundation and other partners, and said further progress would require sustained investment in girls' education, health, protection and participation.