harmful practices that contribute to the prevalence and impact of child marriage. Often sustained in the name of tradition or religion, harmful practices perpetuate gender inequality because they violate girls’ fundamental rights to life, health, dignity, education and physical integrity among others. Therefore, all forms of harmful practices, and particularly those that are interconnected with child marriage, should be condemned and prohibited by States Parties.These include but are not limited to abduction and kidnapping for purposes of marriage, female genital mutilation, virginity testing, breast ironing, forced feeding, forced marriages of persons over the age of 18 years and tourist marriages. In the context of child marriage, the payment of dowry increases girls’ vulnerability and compromises the ability to give free consent.37 States Parties must take measures to prohibit and condemn the payment of dowry in respect of children. Gender inequality and discrimination [50] Attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate the subordination of women and girls contribute to the prevalence and impact of child marriage. States Parties have a duty to eliminate discrimination against women in all its forms and whether in law or in fact. This obligation requires that States Parties take measures toeradicatesystemicgender inequalityand integrate 37 Although practices vary, the payment of dowry may encourage parents to agree to their child’s marriage in exchange for a financial gain or reward. Joint General Comment No. CEDAW/CRC Joint General Recommendation / General Comment, paragraph 24. 26