The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, adopted in 1966, states in article 10(2) that marriage must be entered into with the free consent of the intending spouses. In its general comment No. It also notes that States parties are obliged to prevent third parties from coercing women to undergo traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation. In addition, the Convention contains specific provisions in relation to forced marriage (article I6(l)(b)) and early marriage (article 16 (2)).