Early or child marriage is the formal or informal union of two persons, where at least one side is under 18 years of age. Due to their age, child spouses are considered to be incapable of giving full consent, meaning that child marriages should be considered a violation of human rights and the rights of the child.
Many international agreements outlaw child marriage, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. Despite these laws against it, the practice remains widespread.
Globally, one in every five girls is married before reaching age 18. In the least developed countries, that number almost doubles – 36 per cent of girls are married before age 18, and 10 per cent of girls are married before age 15.
Our Challenge / Regional Context
In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, some 9 per cent of women aged 20 to 24 were first married before the age of 18, according to UNICEF data, with particularly high rates in Turkiye (15 per cent), Georgia (14 per cent), Kyrgyzstan (13 per cent) and Albania (12 per cent).
Child and forced marriage are often justified as part of traditional social, cultural or religious practices. Some of the communities that practice child marriage in this region see it as an important aspect of cultural identity, which makes it very difficult for women and girls to resist. In addition, patriarchal norms within the family mean that mothers are not able to protect their daughters from child marriage, even if they wish to do so.
Child marriage directly threatens girls’ lives and health, and it limits their future prospects. Marriage is often followed by pregnancy, even if a girl is not yet physically or mentally ready. Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are among the leading causes of death for adolescent girls aged 15 to 19, according to WHO data.
Moreover, when girls marry, they are often forced to drop out of school so they can assume household responsibilities. Girls who leave school have worse health and economic outcomes than those who stay in school, and eventually their children fare worse as well.
Taking Action
Ending harmful practices by 2030 – the target set in the Sustainable Development Goals – will require rapid changes in the mindsets that deny women and girls their rights and bodily autonomy.
There are indications that members of a younger generation of girls are rejecting harmful practices as they become more aware of their own rights. Furthermore, men and boys are increasingly challenging gender inequality and advocating changes that benefit everyone. UNFPA works with social media influencers, the private sector and other partners to encourage more people to stand against gender stereotypes and harmful practices in the region.
We also work with partners and support countries to empower girls with the information, skills and services they need to be healthy, educated and make a safe transition to adulthood. UNFPA also works to support the needs of married girls, particularly in family planning and maternal health.
Many of these efforts, such as the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage, empower girls to know and exercise their human rights, including their right to choose whether, when, and whom to marry.
