What is Child Marriage?
Child marriage refers to any formal marriage or informal union where one or both parties are under the age of 18. Child marriage is a global issue that violates children's rights and exposes them to numerous risks and negative consequences, including limited access to education, health issues, poverty, violence, and abuse.
International laws aims to eliminate child marriages. However, implementation and enforcement remain challenging in many countries, as deeply rooted cultural norms, traditions, and socio-economic factors, including gender inequality, poverty, and lack of education, continue to perpetuate the practice.
What Are the Causes of Child Marriage?
The causes of child marriage are multifaceted and complex, often rooted in cultural, social, and economic factors:
Poverty: Poor families may marry off their daughters to reduce the number of dependents or to receive a bride price or dowry.
Gender inequality: Deep-rooted gender discrimination leads to girls being valued less than boys. This can result in a preference for sons, leaving girls more vulnerable to being married off.
Cultural norms & traditions: In some communities, child marriage is a long-standing custom. It can be challenging to change attitudes & practices without strong community engagement.
Lack of education: Girls with limited access to education are more likely to be married off at a young age. Girls who attend school are able to delay marriage, increasing opportunities & independence.
Protection and honor: Some families view marriage as a way to protect their daughters from sexual violence or out-of-wedlock pregnancies, which could bring shame to the family.
Legal and policy factors: In some countries, legal frameworks and policies do not effectively set or enforce minimum age for marriage, allowing child marriages to persist.
Conflict and displacement: In times of crisis or conflict, families may marry off their daughters as a perceived protection mechanism or due to increased economic hardship.
Multiple stakeholders engagement, such as community leaders, and policymakers, are needed to end child marriages. .
How Does Child Marriage affect Girls’ Human Rights?
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RIGHT TO FREEDOM FROM VIOLENCE
Married girls are at a higher risk of experiencing domestic and sexual violence from their spouses, violating their rights to security and freedom from abuse.
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RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Child brides often lack access to reproductive and sexual healthcare and may face pressure to bear children before they are physically and emotionally ready. This compromises their reproductive rights and overall health.
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RIGHT TO HEALTH
It threatens girls' health, as they are more likely to face complications during pregnancy and childbirth due to physical immaturity. They also often experience emotional abuse in their new homes, leading to mental health issues.
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RIGHT TO WORK
Limited education and societal expectations regarding gender roles often restrict married girls' access to employment opportunities, compromising their right to economic independence and self-sufficiency.
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RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
Child brides may experience restricted mobility and social isolation in their husbands' homes, violating their right to freedom of movement and association.
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RIGHT TO EDUCATION
Girls who marry young often have to leave school, limiting their future opportunities, choices, and financial stability.
The International Legal Framework
How Can Girls Advocate to End Child Marriage?
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Learn about child marriage, its consequences, and its underlying causes. Share this others.
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Partner with local, national, or international organisations working to end child marriage.
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Create or join clubs or youth groups in schools or communities focused on raising awareness and advocating against child marriage. These groups can organize events and engage in local advocacy efforts.
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Write letters, attend public meetings, or use social media to convey concerns and recommendations on child marriage policies to local & national policymakers. Advocate for stronger laws, enforcement, and support for those affected.
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Join or organise campaigns, workshops, or conferences that raise awareness and promote action against child marriage.
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Advocate for access to quality education and gender equality, as these factors can help change social norms and empower girls to resist child marriage.
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Use social media to raise awareness about child marriage, share stories, and connect with others working on similar issues. Creating a broader community of advocates and supporters can amplify the impact.