Child marriage is a human rights violation. Despite laws against it, the practice remains widespread: Globally, one in every five girls is formally married or in an informal union, 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. Child marriage threatens girls’ lives and health, and it limits their future prospects.
Causes of Child marriage:
Child marriage is a complex issue. It is rooted in gender inequality and the belief that girls and women are inferior to boys and men. It is made worse by poverty, lack of education, harmful social norms and practices, and insecurity. In our country, guardians of children wish to witness their children’s marriage before their departure. It’s also believed by the parents that children will make mistakes and go down in the path while choosing their partners . It worries the parents as they always think for their children’s well-being. Again ,dowry system is one of the greatest issues in our continent. Girls are seen as a burden in our society. Parents think it’s useless to raise and educate girls. Most of our people think girls first and foremost duty is to give birth and raise children while staying home under veils. It drivers vary between communities and it looks different across and within – regions and countries .
Where it happens:
Child marriage is a truly global problem. It happens across countries, cultures, religions and ethnicities. It mainly takes places where people are deprived of education. In rural areas, many social superstitious believes are practised by people. Most of the people are not civilised yet .
The Effects of Child marriage:
More than 650 million women alive today already suffer the direct consequences of child marriage Globally, the rates of child marriage are slowly declining but progress isn’t happening fast enough. If pre-pandemic trends continue, 150 million more girls will be married by 2030 [2]. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this may increase by a further 13 million girls [3]. Child marriage violates girls’ rights to health, education and opportunity Child marriage is any formal marriage or informal union where one or both parties are under 18 years of age. It is rooted in gender inequality. Girls who formally marry or cohabit as if married before the age of 18 are more likely to have early pregnancies, experience dangerous complications in pregnancy and childbirth, acquire HIV, and experience domestic violence Ending child marriage will improve the health of millions of girls, and their children. Find out more on our Health learning page. When a girl gets married she is often expected to drop out of school to look after the home, children and extended family. For the same reasons – and sometimes because of official school or national policies – it is difficult for married girls, pregnant girls and young mothers to return to school. When they marry as children, girls miss out on developing the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to make informed decisions, negotiate, access paid employment and live independent lives. With little access to education and economic opportunities, girls and their families are more likely to live in poverty. Eind out more on our Economic Justice learning page (coming soon). Systems that undervalue the contribution and participation of girls and women limit their own possibilities for growth, stability and transformation. Child marriage directly hinders the achievement of at least six of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sometimes, these marriages take unexpected turn of domestic abuse and even worse which lead into premature death.
Prevention of Child marriage:
Child marriage looks different from one community to the next. There is no single solution, actor or sector to end it; we must all work together. Child marriage or marriage without the free and full consent of both spouses is a human rights violation. Progressive legal frameworks are one element of the comprehensive response needed to successfully address child marriage. Solution must be local,contextual and integrated .
Education is one of a must. Education can remove the darkness of superstition and social malpractice. Social awareness must be raised amongst people by holding seminars, counselling and government should take necessary steps to stop child marriage at a cost. It’s high time we raised voice against child marriage. Everyone should come forward to stop this illegal and harmful social practice.
Child Marriage 