Forced marriage not only happens but is legal in 47 states. In many cases, it involves an underaged girl. It's an issue with consent at its core — who has it, who doesn't — and what states are taking a stand for women and girls. Hosts Gina Brillon and Kimberly Brooks delve into the roadblocks to taking this issue seriously — and what we can do to clear them.

Visit TheStateofWomenpod.com for more information on the podcast and ways to take action in the fight for women's rights. 

Unchained At Last is a survivor-led nonprofit organization dedicated to ending forced and child marriage in the United States through direct services and advocacy. If you need help or want to support direct programs and policy change, please check them out. Girls First Fund is an international organization that champions community-led efforts to ensure girls and young women can create their own futures - free from forced marriage. If you are experiencing consent or domestic violence issues, please call 800-799-7233 or text 88788 to reach the National Domestic Violence hotline.

“The State of: Women” is produced in collaboration by Population Media Center, Clamor, and Reasonable Volume. Episodes written by Elise Hu. Executive Producers are Gina Brillon, Kimberly Brooks, Lisa Caruso, Alex Demyanenko, Adam Reynolds, Allison Chesneau, Elise Hu, and Rachel Swaby. The series was created by Lisa Caruso & Alex Demyanenko.

Producers are Erica Lowy and Maddie Zampanti. Associate Producers are Lillian Holman and Justin Cho. Editing by Maddie Zampanti and assistant edited by Justin Cho. Audio Engineer is Claire Reynolds. Research by Bethy Squires. Fact checking by Carmel Dagan. Original cover art by Jazmine Johnson and Match Zimmerman.

PMC’s Impact and Partnerships Strategist is Charity Tooze. PMC’s Manager of Creative Development is Dominica Ruelas. Additional special thanks to June Neely of PMC and Aaron Hilliard and Molly Cody of Clamor.