Afghan First Lady Rula Ghani (C) attends an event on "National Action Plan to Eliminate Early and Child Marriage" in Kabul, Afghanistan, on April 18, 2017. (Xinhua/Dai He)

KABUL, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Afghan First Lady Rula Ghani on Tuesday called for protecting Afghan girls against child marriage, noting that forced marriage affects physical health of young girls and robs them of their childhood and future.

"Child marriage is a depressing phenomenon for the young generation of Afghanistan and it is a national responsibility to stop the menace," she told audience in an event held in Afghan Media and Information Center.

The event marked the launch of "National Action Plan to Eliminate Early and Child Marriage" by Afghan ministries of Women's Affairs and Information and Culture, and supported by the Embassy of Canada in Afghanistan and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

"I urge all Afghan families to avoid child marriage and forced marriage. Your girls face a huge risk when they get married at young age. Early marriage robs them of their childhood and future opportunities." she added.

She noted that getting married in an appropriate age reduces girls' risk for physical, sexual, psychological as well as economic abuse.

"A girl, who is below 18 is capable of rapidly gaining wisdom and knowledge from the people around her," said Bannet Ndyanabangi, UNFPA country representative at the event.

"She can be, one day, an inspiring leader, a productive worker, an innovator, a caring parent or take any other role that empowers a society. She can shape that future of her society. But all of this depend on how we support her today," said Ndyanabangi.

The plan of action adopts two approaches, it outlines initiatives designed to prevent and end early and child marriage and it strives to improve the implementation of laws and services which aim to support people at risk of early and child marriage, according to a statement issued by UNFPA.

Girls aged 15 to 19 who experience pregnancy and childbirth are twice as likely to die of related complications as women aged 20 to 24 years, according to UNICEF.