Archive for category: Child Marriage

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Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2025: End Child Marriage in Pakistan

Child Marriage Restraint ActIn a leap toward ending child marriage in Pakistan, the Islamabad Capital Territory government passed the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 2025. This new legislation is the first legal precedent in Pakistan to illegalize child marriage and set the legal minimum for marriage to at least 18 years of age for girls. Under the previous Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, the legal minimum age for marriage was 14 for girls, later amended to 16.

The new act also entails harsher punitive measures than the outdated law. For example, a man who marries an underage girl will now be looking at up to three years in prison. Anyone who facilitates or forces marriage onto a child can face up to seven years in prison, including marriage registrars, religious clerics or family members.

Child Marriage and Poverty

In Pakistan, 20.5 million or 18% of girls are married before they reach the age of 18. Approximately 5 million girls or 4%, are married before the age of 15. Poverty is the driving factor behind child marriage, along with gender inequality and cultural customs.

Child brides usually come from impoverished families who sell them to older men for a price as high as 2.5 million Pakistani rupees, which is more than $8,000. Child marriage tends to spike in regions prone to natural disasters, which displace families, destroy homes and overall increase poverty in the area. The lack of education and access to health facilities in some parts of Pakistan further reinforces the tradition of child marriage.

Although the updated Child Marriage Restraint Act of 2025 is a significant step toward ending child marriage, the law does not address the other factors contributing to the issue. However, below are three organizations raising awareness of the dangers of child marriage in Pakistan by educating the public.

UN Women

In 2024, U.N. Women partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to organize informational sessions across rural villages in Pakistan. These sessions showed parents the negative consequences of marriage for an underage girl, including health risks and limited access to education. They also sparked dialogue on women’s rights, inclusion in the agricultural industry and involvement in decision-making.

The awareness-raising program reached 1,732 people living in rural villages, as more families allowed their daughters to attend their local schools rather than keep them at home. One woman, Yasmin Gul and her husband attended an information session on child marriage in Pakistan’s Mohmand. Gul married young herself and married off two of her daughters when they were 14 and 15.

After the session, Gul and her husband decided against marrying off their youngest daughter until she is at least 18 years old. Until then, she would be allowed to grow and pursue an education — opportunities her older sisters never had. U.N. Women also launched a campaign where it hand-delivered wedding cards for a fictitious child marriage to Pakistani lawmakers and leaders, each card designed entirely by children.

The invitations displayed colourful artwork illustrated with crayons and markers. Some even included time for “games” in the itinerary. The children in the campaign were between 5 and 15 years old and one was an actual child bride. The invitations caught nationwide media coverage and inspired discussion across Pakistan.

The campaign also had a significant legislative impact, as lawmakers brought the wedding cards to parliamentary meetings to underscore the severity of the issue.

Pathfinder International

With a slightly similar approach, Pathfinder International launched the “End Early Child Marriage” campaign in partnership with the BPG advertising agency. The organization published an invitation to a fictitious wedding between a 13-year-old girl and a 56-year-old man across several media outlets in Pakistan, in English, Sindhi and Urdu. The goal was to reach a diverse audience covering varying demographics.

At the bottom of the card, it says, “This is not an actual event, but a metaphorical stand against the injustice of child marriage. Child marriage is synonymous with the premature ending of a child’s future.” The wedding invitation was published in two newspapers: The Express Tribune, with more than 25,000 readers and the Daily Express, with more than 350,000 readers.

The Express Tribune also shared the campaign on its YouTube podcast, which gained more than 100,000 views. The campaign circulated across popular radio stations, such as CityFM89 and FM100 Karachi, which garnered more than 1.5 million listeners. Express News TV also broadcast the campaign on-air, reaching more than 10 million viewers.

UNICEF Pakistan

UNICEF Pakistan launched its National Gender Strategy for 2024 to 2027. This involves a strategy to address gender inequalities and overall improve girls’ lives, especially when it comes to child marriage in Pakistan. The strategy entails investing in girls’ leadership, voice and agency.

It addresses traditional cultural attitudes perpetuating gender inequality as well as plans to work with leaders, religious figures, boys and men to change harmful beliefs. The strategy also outlines providing girls with greater accountability, social protection and reliable services in education, health care and nutrition.

In Pakistan, 54% of girls become pregnant before turning 18, 88% of girls between 10 and 17 live in poverty and 46% of girls have no education, employment or training. Pregnancy in underage girls poses a range of life-threatening health risks for both the mother and the baby. When paired with poverty and a lack of education or training, this also becomes detrimental to Pakistan’s progress as a country, highlighting the need for UNICEF’s strategy in Pakistan.

Ending Child Marriage For Good

Lawmakers and leaders establishing new legislation to restrict child marriage is a powerful stride. However, child marriage in Pakistan will not end for good until the government addresses the push behind it: poverty, inadequate facilities and a lack of education. Organizations must continue to focus on empowering girls and enabling a brighter future for Pakistan.

– Umaymah Suhail

Umaymah is based in Karachi, Pakistan and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Addressing Child Marriage in Argentina

Child Marriage in ArgentinaChild marriage is an example of the gender inequalities that girls and women face, which prominently exists in countries of extreme poverty. It is an issue that harms the lives of girls in Argentina as there can be an increased risk of adolescent pregnancies in addition to reduced access to education.

In Argentina, the gender pay gap is leading more girls and women to poverty. UN Women states that “Women and girls aged 15+ spend 23.4% of their time on unpaid care and domestic work, compared to 9.2% spent by men.” The power dynamics girls face regularly put them in a position where they do not have the resources to withstand poverty, therefore, leading them to child marriage in Argentina.

Leading Factors for Child Marriage

Girls Not Brides has stated that “16% of girls in Argentina marry or enter a union before age 18, and 2% marry before age 15.” The percentage of girls getting married as adolescents is proof of the scary reality that women and girls have to live through every day.

The law in Argentina works to prevent marriage before 18, however, parents and guardians have the right to enforce marriage at 16. This power dynamic is another social norm which influences gender inequalities to prevail. Other factors that result in child marriage include getting pregnant at a young age, which socially isolates young girls from their families and education. Girls also may feel compelled to stay in a union if it is their only support.

Improvements to Child Marriage in Argentina

Thankfully, there is a plan to eradicate child marriage in Argentina by 2030. Argentina is actively co-sponsoring legislation to prevent child marriage. It also aims to prevent violence, which enforces gender-based inequality and leads to issues such as child marriage. Significantly, the government will be prioritizing services to support those involved in child marriage.

People all over the world have been actively helping to stop child marriage in Latin America as well. This includes organizations such as Girls Not Brides. It has given a voice to girls and women who feel like they cannot speak freely.

In Argentina specifically, Girls Not Brides is improving the lives of young girls by utilizing The Foundation for Studies and Research on Women (FEIM). It researches and advocates against the issue of child marriage in Argentina, while training people to provide education on child marriage.

Meanwhile, SOS Children’s Villages has actively been working to stop adolescents from falling into the trap of entering marriage before 18. This organization creates a living environment for children to grow up in, providing them with education and support in their childhood and helping them move into the future independently. So far, “SOS Children’s Villages supports 1,270 adults and children, 1,610 attend their school and further training, 150 children grow up in their care and 840 are supported on their way to independence.” These factors all play a part in preventing child labor and marriage, and increasing quality of life.

Looking Ahead

While the injustice many young girls in Argentina face is immense, Argentina’s government and various organizations have actively worked toward protecting the rights of girls and improving the quality of life for girls in the country. Hopefully, with continued action, child marriage in Argentina will completely disappear.

– Freya Bryers

Freya is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Child Marriage in Haiti: How Poverty Drives Child Marriage

Child Marriage in HaitiPoverty, gender inequality and insecurity largely drive the ongoing issue of child marriage in Haiti. Haitians face widespread poverty, food insecurity, gang violence and limited access to public services, leaving families with limited options to sustain themselves. This prompts many to marry off their children as a survival strategy. International aid and targeted poverty‑reduction programs work to address the root causes of child marriage in Haiti.

The Prevalence of Child Marriage in Haiti

In Haiti, 15% of girls marry or enter a union before the age of 18 and 2% before 15. For boys, 2% marry before 18. Three main factors drive child marriage: gender inequality, poverty and insecurity. Ongoing security issues such as gang violence, natural disasters and poor economic conditions push families to marry off their children, mainly daughters, as a form of survival and protection. Poverty, political unrest and natural disasters limit access to education and economic opportunities, leaving approximately one million children out of school in 2023 and families with few options for stability. Despite Haiti’s international commitments through Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end child marriage by 2030, the country lacks a national strategy or a minimum legal marriage age without exceptions. Children 15 and younger marry with parental or presidential consent.

Driving Factors: Poverty and Gender Inequality

The age of consent in Haiti is 15 for both genders. Girls may legally marry at 15, and boys at 18. The president may approve marriages under these ages for ‘serious reasons.’ Additionally, if a girl under 14 conceives or either party reaches 18 within 6 months of marriage, the union cannot be annulled.

Widespread poverty and harmful norms contribute to high rates of violence and early marriage. Deeply rooted beliefs about family roles contribute to in-home violence with 73.8% of young women and 69.4% of young men justifying domestic violence. Nearly half of married adolescents aged 15–19 experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse. A 2012 UNICEF report on Haitian poverty levels found that 58% of adolescents lived in poverty, and currently, more than half the population remains below the poverty line. High rates of violence in child marriages make divorce difficult, trapping many in abusive relationships.

Driving Factors: Gang Violence and Food Insecurity

Gang violence, hunger and poverty create urgent risks for children, including early marriage, sexual exploitation and school dropout. A needs assessment found that nearly half the population facing crisis levels of hunger. Food insecurity and economic hardship are driving parents to resort to child marriages. Low school attendance leaves children exposed to recruitment by armed gangs; estimates suggest that 30–50% of gang members are underage.

Plan International is an organization that is working to protect children from these risks. It provides psychosocial support, child-friendly spaces, nutrition programs, cash transfers and health services. Since July 2022, the organization has scaled up humanitarian assistance in Artibonite and the Northeast Department to identify and support children in need of psychosocial support, particularly unaccompanied or separated children, forcibly displaced children and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Plan International has set up child-friendly spaces, provided sociocultural activities such as theatre programs, and increased access to health services.

Plan International has supported more than 25,000 people with cash transfers, enabling them to buy food, pay school fees and meet other urgent needs. These practices aim to protect children from violence and exploitation. Addressing both hunger and insecurity is critical to preventing child marriage and safeguarding the futures of Haiti’s children. Compounded initiatives like this are helpful in reducing child marriage rates in Haiti.

UNICEF’s Initiatives Targeting Root Causes of Child Marriage in Haiti

UNICEF addresses poverty, violence and instability to prevent child marriage in Haiti. The organization expands nutrition services, including treatment for acute malnutrition, micronutrient supplementation, deworming and immunizations, reducing the hunger and malnutrition that push families to marry off their children. UNICEF delivers vaccines and therapeutic food, and ensures access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. It also strengthens communities and helps lower the risk of disease outbreaks that disrupt education and livelihoods.

The agency promotes safe learning environments by distributing school kits, rebuilding damaged schools and advocating against attacks on education. A nationwide cash transfer initiative helps families enroll children in school and ensures teachers are prepared for the school year. UNICEF also provides psychosocial support and protection services to children experiencing violence, including victims of gender-based violence, unaccompanied and separated children and children associated with armed groups. The organization supports disaster recovery and preparedness, rebuilding water systems and schools and providing cash transfers to vulnerable families. These interventions reduce the economic and social pressures that drive child marriage and help protect every child’s right to a safe and healthy future.

Safeguarding Rights and Futures

Child marriage in Haiti is closely linked to poverty, insecurity and entrenched gender inequality, leaving children particularly vulnerable to marriage, violence and exploitation. Addressing these challenges through education, health care, nutrition and protection programs alongside broader efforts to reduce poverty and instability is essential to safeguarding children’s rights and preventing child marriage in the long term.

– Mollie Skogen

Mollie is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Abolishing Child Marriage in the Philippines

Child Marriage in the PhilippinesOn Dec. 10, 2021, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Law (Republic Act no. 11596), which prohibited marrying a child under the age of 18, to end the abuse and trauma of adolescent Filipinas. However, child marriage in the Philippines still persists today.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Law

Prior to the Philippines’ enactment of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Law on Jan. 6, 2022, child marriage was a common practice in the Philippines. This placed young girls in danger of sexual violence and childbirth. According to a 2017 report by the Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey, one out of six Filipinas under the age of 18 were married.

In 2017, the recorded rate of child marriages in the Philippines was more than 16%. Since the Prohibition of Child Marriage Law, the rate had gone down to 9.4% in 2022. While there has been a substantial decrease, child marriage has not been completely eradicated.

The Issue

While the Philippines has raised the legal age of consent to 18 years old, some in the country continue to justify the marriage of children in a religious or cultural context. Despite the Prohibition of Child Marriage Law, there exists an exception to it: Presidential Decree No. 1083. The Code of Muslim Personal Laws, which President Ferdinand Marcos enacted, allows for the marriage of girls as young as 15 to marry. 

This is especially prevalent in the large Muslim population of Mindanao. A 2021 study that the Bangsamoro Women Commission conducted recorded around 88,600 child brides in the local region. Other highly affected areas are Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Why Is It Happening?

  • Patriarchal norms within Filipino households are common. They result in the limiting of women’s autonomy as society teaches them to be wives and obedient to their husbands.
  • Weak law enforcement in the Philippines results in the failure to impose the Prohibition of Child Marriage Law. Additionally, issues are resolved in an inconsistent and informal manner. 
  • Religious and cultural traditions, specifically Islamic teachings, believe that premarital relationships outside of marriage are haram acts, resulting in followers adhering to religious standards, like forced marriages, to maintain family honor. Some argue that a female is prepared to be wed once she has reached puberty, which results in many child brides being around 15 years of age.
  • The legal age of consent is 16 years old while the legal age to be wed is 18 years old in the Philippines. This may result in teen pregnancy which then leads to parents forcing marriage upon the child to avoid the social stigma of premarital relationships.
  • Economic hardships can cause families to force their child into a marriage as they believe it to be their only escape to a better life. Mindanao has the highest population of child brides and is also the poorest region in the Philippines.

The allowance of early or forced marriage at such a young age makes the child more susceptible to experiencing poverty, domestic violence, maternal mortality and a multitude of adverse effects on emotional and physical health.

Enhancing the Protection of Children Against Early Marriage

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) presented a Child Protection Systems Strengthening (CPSS) framework to combat child marriage in 2024, which will apply to Muslim Mindanao.

The DWSD has been in charge of enforcing the Prohibition of Child Marriage Law since its implementation and provides services and resources to support and address the prevention of child marriages. The DWSD and CWC have collaborated with the intention of hindering child marriages and shifting cultural norms and attitudes in the Philippines. They have held workshops comprising not only parents and children but also community leaders to gather input in creating a CPSS to end marriages under 18 years old. CPSS will work to improve the implementation and enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Law by adopting more laws and policies such as government offices, a child-protection workforce.

Those in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will offer their input through their involvement in these workshops as they assist in designing, testing and evaluating a CPSS. The presence of individuals who have first-hand knowledge of child marriage in the Philippines is paramount in developing a solution towards it.

Involving community leaders to learn about what they can do to protect children from early marriage is a key to ending it. Becoming aware of identifying, recognizing and preventing the abuse of children through the education of child protection laws and gender-based violence will supply leaders with the ability to provide children the support they need.

Looking Ahead

In the fight against child marriage in the Philippines, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Law served to protect young Filipina girls from the patriarchal gender inequality that attempts to control women. But further work is needed to prevent the suffering of young girls in the Philippines forced into early marriage. They endure a lifetime of poverty, abuse and violence at the hands of a patriarchal system and harmful longtime traditions. 

By recognizing the detrimental behaviors and effects pertaining to child marriage with access to resources, young Filipinas will have the independence that they deserve.

– Caydie Tampac

Caydie is based in Reno, NV, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Breaking the Cycle: Ending Child Marriage in Costa Rica

Child Marriage in Costa RicaUntil recently, Costa Rica had one of the highest child marriage rates in Latin America, affecting more than 359,000 girls nationwide. About one in six young women married before turning 18. Poverty, social inequality and cultural norms that limited girls’ autonomy often drove these early unions. In the past few years, child marriage in Costa Rica has made remarkable progress. Through legal reforms, education initiatives and social programs, the country steadily moves toward eradicating child marriage altogether.

Poverty and the Roots of Child Marriage

Understanding why child marriage in Costa Rica persisted for so long requires examining the social and economic forces behind it. Poverty and gender inequality long shaped these early unions. While Costa Rica remains one of the least poor countries in Latin America, poverty rates fluctuated in recent years with national poverty rising from 20% in 2017 to 21.1% in 2018, pushing more than 23,000 households into poverty and more than 12,000 into extreme poverty. In rural and less-affluent parts of Costa Rica, families more often marry off girls at a young age – a pattern that aligns with broader regional trends.

Families withdrew many girls from school: around 70% of married girls aged 15–17 left education entirely, according to UNICEF. These girls often had little say in household decisions, and some believed that wife-beating was justified. Early marriage not only robbed girls of their childhoods but also entrenched cycles of poverty for future generations.

In some Indigenous communities, families consider girls eligible for marriage once they reach puberty. The award-winning film “Defenders of Life” tells the story of Esmeralda, a fictional Ngäbe girl representing this reality. By casting real community members and sparking national debate, the film shows how cultural norms influence early marriage—and how raising awareness can begin to change them.

Legal Reforms Bring Hope

In 2017, Costa Rica passed a law banning marriage under the age of 18 and closed loopholes that previously allowed minors to wed. The Patronato Nacional de la Infancia, UNICEF Costa Rica and local women’s rights groups championed this reform. Since then, Costa Rica sharply reduced registered child marriages. The new law also increased national awareness of children’s rights and gender equality, encouraging families to prioritize education and delay marriage.

Education and Empowerment

Legislation alone cannot end child marriage in Costa Rica. UNICEF Costa Rica and the Ministry of Public Education launched initiatives to keep girls in school and encourage adolescent girls to study science, mathematics and technology. UNICEF partners with civil society and private-sector organizations to amplify the voices of adolescent girls and young women. These programs empower girls to become leaders and changemakers, giving them the skills and platforms to advocate for initiatives that address key issues affecting children, youth and adolescents. By strengthening girls’ confidence and agency, these efforts tackle the root causes of child marriage and help girls shape their own futures.

Persistent Challenges

Despite significant progress, teenage girls still enter informal unions with older men, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities where poverty and cultural traditions remain strong. This includes communities such as the Ngäbe, where families consider girls eligible for marriage once they reach puberty. Persistent child marriage contributes to high teenage pregnancy rates: 16% of all births occur among girls under 18, rising to 27% in rural areas. Costa Rica must strengthen enforcement of existing laws and expand outreach to isolated communities to eliminate the practice completely.

A Model for the Region

Costa Rica’s efforts over the past few years demonstrate that determined action can drive real change and position the country as a model for the region. By combining legal reforms with initiatives that address the root causes of child marriage in Costa Rica – such as improving access to education and strengthening girls’ advocacy skills – the country is beginning to break persistent cycles of poverty and gender inequality. Continued collaboration between the government, NGOs and international partners will sustain this progress. Since 2015, UNAIDS, UN Women, UNICEF and other organizations have worked in a joint initiative to eliminate child marriage, reinforcing government efforts and laying the foundation for a future in which every girl’s rights and opportunities are fully protected. Costa Rica’s success offers a roadmap for neighboring countries facing similar challenges.

“Child marriage and early unions are a violation of human rights. Full Stop,” said Laura Flores, the Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations.

– Iona Gethin

Iona is based in Exeter, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Child Marriage in Eritrea

Child Marriage in EritreaChild marriage disproportionately affects the lives of young girls in Eritrea, as an estimated 41% of girls are married before the age of 18 compared to 2% of boys, according to the most recent government data from 2010. Many recognize child marriage as a violation of human rights, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stating that consent to marriage must be ‘free and full’ and cannot be so when one of the parties is below adult age.

Eritrea revised its Marriage Law in 1991 to make 18 the minimum age for marriage, however, a 2025 Human Rights Watch report reported that child marriage remains prevalent despite this law. This is due to a lack of enforcement, as well as customary laws and legal exceptions. For example, 16-year-old girls can marry if they are pregnant or have already given birth.

Causes of High Rates of Child Marriage

The Girls Not Brides organization states that gender inequality is the driving factor behind child marriage in Eritrea, in addition to poverty, and a lack of opportunities for education or financial independence for girls. These factors are worse in rural areas where the rate of child marriage is significantly higher, 55.2% compared to 20.4% in urban areas. There is social and financial pressure on girls to abandon their studies to perform domestic or agricultural labor and enter marriage to relieve their families of financial burden.

Addressing the Problem

At the 2019 Nairobi Summit Eritrea committed to end all forms of violence against women and girls, including child marriage by 2030, committing to provide “access for all adolescents and youth, especially girls, to comprehensive and age-responsive information, education and adolescent-friendly comprehensive, quality and timely services to be able to make free and informed decisions and choices about their sexuality and reproductive lives.”

International aid can also help to end child marriage by reducing risk factors like poverty and lack of access to health care and education through targeted programs and partnerships. Organizations such as UNICEF and UNFPA work in Eritrea to protect those at risk of child marriage. The UNFPA collaborates with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the national health system and expand access to health care, particularly for underserved rural populations. UNFPA also work with the National Union of Eritrean Women to support legislation against underage marriage and FGM.

The Current Status of the Issue

Due to a lack of recent data from the government on child marriage rates, it is difficult to know how close Eritrea is to achieving the goal of eradicating child marriage by 2030. It is important that regulatory bodies get accurate and recent data from the government to address the issue and assess the progress that has occurred. International support is essential to improve access to education and provide resources to impoverished rural communities to alleviate financial pressures that push girls out of education and into marriage. Increased opportunities combined with stricter enforcement of the minimum legal age for marriage will help girls in Eritrea to live childhoods free from forced marriage.

– Nieve Dowling

Nieve is based in Bristol, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Behind the Paradise: The Scourge of Child Marriage in Fiji

Child Marriage in FijiFiji, a Pacific island nation celebrated for its magnificent volcanic scenery and idyllic beaches, presents a stark contrast between its natural beauty and a dark social reality. One of the most pressing issues shadowing its paradise image is the practice of child marriage in Fiji, where minors are wed before developing the capacity to understand the commitment. This burden falls disproportionately on girls, who families in Fiji often traditionally view as a commodity to marry off as early as possible to alleviate their burdens. A complex interplay of social, cultural and political factors has heavily influenced the persistence of this practice.

The Drivers Perpetuating the Practice: Patriarchal Society

For years, the legal framework itself enabled this crisis. Until 2009, the Marriage Act of Fiji stated the legal age of consent for marriage as 16 years old for girls and 18 years old for boys. The distinction between the legal consent age between girls and boys speaks about the patriarchal nature of society in Fiji. The largely male dominant society has resulted in an alarming rate of girls entering child marriage, which is about 12%. Additionally, it is also a deeply cultural and religious society that values the concept of arranged marriage. In these arranged unions, couples may have little to no prior acquaintance, often meeting for the first time on their wedding day. Traditional customs like bulubulu further compound this practice. It is a formal apology ritual, which can lead to underage pregnant girls cohabiting as common-law wives with the fathers of their children.

Exploitation

A particularly alarming form of exploitation involves young girls marrying men outside of Fiji under the guise of providing labor or a better life. These transnational arrangements often leave them vulnerable to abuse and servitude. Tragically, for those who manage to escape these fraudulent marriages and return home, reintegration is fraught with difficulty. They often face profound social ostracization and stigma within their traditional communities, leaving them doubly victimized.

Poverty

A central driver of child marriage is the relentless fight against global poverty. Indeed, this link is tragically evident in Fiji where many economically strained families see marrying off a daughter as a necessary strategy to reduce their financial burden. In some cases, these unions become transactional, providing an immediate, albeit often small, benefit to the family. This decision, born of economic desperation, comes at the devastating cost of the child’s future, forcing her into a life for which she is profoundly unprepared. The data underscores this economic link: in Fiji, 4.4% of girls living in the poorest homes married before 18 years old, compared to 3.9% from the richest households.

The Lifelong Impact on Children and Society

The consequences of child marriage in Fiji create a devastating ripple effect across society and for the individual. A primary outcome is unintended adolescent pregnancy, where girls, under pressure to prove their fertility soon after marriage, face the dangerous health scenario of a child giving birth to a child. These young brides, thrust into adulthood prematurely, face heightened risks of sexual violence and life-threatening complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Furthermore, the practice almost universally forces children to abandon their education, severely limiting their future economic opportunities and perpetuating the very cycle of poverty that often drives child marriage in Fiji. This creates a demographic marked by profound and persistent vulnerability.

The Bright Side

The Fijian government has committed to eliminating child marriage in Fiji by 2030, aligning with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Fiji has amended the earlier mentioned Marriage Act of Fiji and made 18 the legal marriage age for both boys and girls. The amendment also removed the provision allowing minors to marry with parental consent. To support this national commitment, the Spotlight Initiative’s Pacific Regional Programme began in October 2020. It is working with 16 Pacific Island countries to address early marriage, sexual harassment and domestic and intimate partner violence. The initiative is coordinated through a collaborative model, which the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Fiji manages, and it is partnered with UN agencies like UN Women, UNICEF, IOM, UNFPA and UNDP.

Conclusion

The grim reality of child marriage has fractured Fiji’s idyllic facade. While the government has outlawed the practice, its persistence, fueled by poverty and patriarchal norms, continues to rob children of their futures. Closing the gap between law and local custom is the critical challenge. The future of the nation depends on transforming these deep-seated traditions to ensure every Fijian child can truly thrive.

– Vaidehi Ratudi

Vaidehi is based in Hamilton, ON, Canada and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Everything To Know About Child Marriage in Nicaragua

Child Marriage in NicaraguaThe Nicaraguan government and local organizations have worked to reduce and eliminate child marriage and early unions. Their efforts have achieved a 50% decrease in the number of girls married before the age of 18, falling from 1987 to 35% in 2012. However, Latin America remains the only region in the world that has not shown a clear decline in child marriage over the last three decades. Nicaragua has the highest rates within the region and ranks 14th globally with 10% of girls marrying or entering a union before age 15. Among boys, 19% marry or enter a union before the age of 18. Here are the main reasons for child marriage in Nicaragua:

Poverty

Poverty continues to affect a large portion of Nicaragua’s population. The United Nations reports that 48% of people live below the poverty line. Continual climate disruptions devastate the environment and worsen economic conditions. High levels of organized crime and human trafficking also contribute to insecurity. Many families marry off their children to ease financial hardship and improve their economic situation, resulting in increased levels of child marriage in Nicaragua

Furthermore, Nicaraguan society continues to enforce cultural and gender norms that pressure girls to marry young and bear children. These expectations limit and restrict their opportunities.

Lack of Education

A lack of access to education is both a cause and result of child marriage in Nicaragua. Families often pressure girls to leave school after marriage. Communities with poor access to education have higher levels of child marriage.

When families remove girls from education to marry, they face a greater risk of teenage pregnancy. Reports show that 30% of girls who marry or enter a union become pregnant within the first year. A 2019 UNFPA study highlighted the high correlation between early unions/marriage and pregnancy among girls in Nicaragua. Not only this, but teenage pregnancies pose a serious health risk for young mothers with increased maternal mortality rates.

Solutions in Place

The Nicaraguan government has implemented several measures to reduce child marriage and aims to end early and forced marriage by 2030. The government co-sponsored the 2013 and 2014 United Nations General Assembly resolutions on child, early and forced marriage. In 2013, as a member of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Nicaragua adopted the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development, which recognized the need to address the high levels of adolescent pregnancy and its associations with forced marriages.

The government also updated legislation under the Follow-up Mechanism to the Belem do Para Convention to ensure the minimum age of marriage was 18 for both men and women. During its 2019 Universal Periodic Review, the government agreed to review recommendations to combat all harmful practices against women and girls, including child marriage in Nicaragua.

Beyond legal reforms, the government and international organizations have focused on education and advocacy. Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and educational initiatives work to keep girls in education. For example, SOS Children’s Village, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of children living in poverty, has provided education to more than 2,630 children. Other global charities, such as UNAIDS, have partnered with UN Women, UNICEF and the World Health Organization in a joint initiative to eliminate child marriage and to ensure that governments meet the needs of women and girls in Latin American and the Caribbean. Due to the work of these initiatives and awareness brought to these issues, a number of communities now acknowledge the harm that child marriage in Nicaragua caused.

The Path Forward

There is still much more work to be done. There are still barriers to reform that need to be addressed and tackled with global organizations calling for stricter and better enforced policies, more access to education for girls, a change in cultural gender norms and continuing efforts to end poverty. However, the continued successes of government initiatives and charity organizations suggests a real progress for the improvement of women and girl’s rights and opportunities and for the reduction of child marriage in Nicaragua.

– Alys Gaze

Alys is based in Wales, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Combating Child Marriage in Belize

Child Marriage in BelizeChild marriage in Belize is a pervasive issue, trapping both young girls and boys in a cycle of poverty and inequality. However, although the rates of child marriage remain high, organizations and the government have committed to addressing the issue.

Key Child Marriage Statistics in Belize

In Belize, child marriage is more prevalent among girls, with 34% of girls marrying or entering a union before they turn 18 and 6% before they turn 15. However, Belize also has one of the highest rates of boy marriage in the world, with 22% of them marrying before the age of 18 and 5% before 15.

One of the key drivers of this high rate of child marriage is the education level. According to Girls Not Brides, 16% of the girls who had received no education were married before they turned 18. Additionally, 26% of girls who were married between the ages of 15 and 19 did not complete their education beyond the primary level.

Poverty is also a key driver of child marriage. About 11% of the girls who were married before their 18th birthday came from some of the most impoverished households in Belize, compared to 3% from the richest households.

Initiatives 

The government is committed to combating child marriage in Belize. In 2024, it submitted a voluntary national review into the elimination of gender-based violence, of which child marriage is part. Furthermore, in 2020, the government developed the Road Map to End Child Marriage and Early Unions in Belize. It focuses on taking action in the health, education, child protection and economic development sectors as a holistic approach to combating child marriage in Belize.

Organizations such as the Spotlight Initiative have also been crucial in combating child marriage. This initiative, started by the United Nations (U.N.), is working to tackle gender inequality and violence in Belize by establishing mobile women’s centers. These centers provide crucial services to women, such as “sexual and reproductive health services, legal advice, psychosocial support and information on gender-based violence.”

Therefore, the women who visit these centers are not only more aware and educated about their choices, but also less vulnerable to gender-based violence such as child marriage. Because the centers are free, the underserved and most vulnerable women in Belize can now access services they previously could not afford.

Looking Forward

While the initiatives put forward by the government and the U.N. are a crucial step in combating child marriage in Belize, poverty, lack of education and ingrained patriarchal notions about the status of women and girls are key drivers of child marriage. 

– Victoria Adrados

Victoria Adrados is based in London and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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From Loopholes to Legal Clarity: Child Marriage in South Korea 

Child Marriage in South KoreaUntil recently, child marriage in South Korea remained legal for teens as young as 16 with parental consent, making the country an outlier among developed nations. However, that changed when lawmakers amended South Korea’s Civil Act to set the minimum marriage age at 18 with no exceptions. While child marriage affects one in five girls worldwide, the South Korean child marriage ban demonstrates that decisive policy and public awareness can dismantle harmful traditions, safeguard youth and advance the global movement to end child marriage.

From Loophole to Legal Clarity

The revised South Korea’s Civil Act, specifically Article 807, now establishes 18 as the absolute legal marriage age. This change frees minors from the pressure to marry before adulthood. Previously, Article 808 allowed underage marriage with parental consent but lawmakers eliminated that exception to safeguard young people. These reforms challenge traditional values in which parents play a decisive role in early marriage arrangements, causing South Korean parents to consider the concerns that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child raised.

Marriages Beyond Borders: The Loophole Challenge

While South Korea’s child marriage ban closes domestic legal loopholes, a persistent concern remains in marriages arranged beyond its borders. Since the 1990s, international marriage brokers connect South Korean men with women from other countries. Some families exploit cross-border arrangements to wed partners under 18 abroad, and then return to register the marriage in South Korea.

This practice blurs the line between child marriage and human trafficking, pushing the boundaries of the child marriage ban in place. Brokers finalize matchmaking deals typically within nine days, giving minors and adults little time for informed consent.

As of 2007, 40% of Korean men in agriculture, forestry and fishing were married to foreign wives, primarily from China, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. Migrant brides face obstacles such as language barriers, economic dependency and cultural isolation, which make them vulnerable to abuse.

The Murder That Sparked Reform

A landmark case of abuse involves Thach Thi Hoang Ngoc, a 20-year-old Vietnamese bride, murdered by her mentally ill 46-year-old Korean husband only eight days after arriving in South Korea. The broker of the marriage failed to mention her husband had schizophrenia, causing a public outcry for officials to pay more attention to international marriage regulations.

“The general public in South Korea was shocked and outraged and demanded that the government take more proactive measures to strictly regulate international marriage practices,” Helen Lee wrote in a 2010 Law Library of Congress report.

In 2007, South Korea enacted the Act on Regulation of Marriage Brokerage Agencies which requires brokers to register, follow foreign regulations and provide written agreements between both parties to prove consent. The amended Act in 2010 imposes stricter restrictions and the Cross-Governmental Policy to Promote Wholesome International Marriage, which adds tighter broker rules and mandatory educational seminars for Korean spouses. Officials now conduct rigorous criminal and medical background checks to protect future spouses from dangers identifiable early on.

A Victory for Children’s Rights

South Korea currently holds one the world’s lowest teenage pregnancy rates—about two to three births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19. Even with these low figures, officials remain concerned about any link between the teenage pregnancy rate in South Korea and child marriage.

By enforcing Article 807, the child marriage ban in South Korea protects young people from early parenthood, helps ensure uninterrupted education and limits health risks associated with teenage pregnancy. The reform also advances Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 (SDG 5.3), the global pledge to end child marriage by 2030.

The Cultural Shift

Since the child marriage ban in South Korea, cultural standards surrounding arranged marriage have shifted. Once deeply rooted in Confucian traditions, matchmaking practices adapted to emphasize youth autonomy.

Rights organizations like Girls Not Brides note that child marriage in South Korea has been rare and often undocumented, linked more to gender inequality and trafficking than to mainstream cultural practices.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family celebrated South Korea’s reform as a step toward ensuring equal opportunities for all youth to pursue education, work, and personal growth.

Since lawmakers changed the legislation, cultural and familial approaches to matchmaking have shifted, and South Korea increasingly recognizes that personal choice to marry is paramount in marital decisions involving youth. As a 2022 study notes, “Young adults’ changing values, particularly concerning marriage, are among the key factors that have contributed to this phenomenon.”

Global Role in Ending Child Marriage in South Korea

The South Korean child marriage ban shows that even highly developed countries can harbor outdated laws, and that real change is possible with political will and public support. Local NGOs and South Korean citizens emphasize the need to pair strong legal protections with cultural change, using South Korea as an example of a successful complete ban on child marriage, barring parental consent as a factor entirely.

Nationwide awareness campaigns and school programs aim to promote the value of education, self-determination and self-advocacy in marital decisions. South Korea co-sponsored Human Rights Council initiatives aimed at ending child, early and forced marriage, addressing topics ranging from the consequences of child marriage to its occurrence in humanitarian crises, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For countries struggling with partial bans, South Korea offers a clear blueprint: set a clear minimum age, remove all exceptions and enforce the law consistently while updating legislation regularly. 

Looking Ahead

The child marriage ban in South Korea has focused attention on teenage pregnancy, education disruption and youth autonomy. The success of the laws and the government’s ongoing revisions ensure that minors will no longer face the same legal pressure or loss of agency in South Korea again.

South Korea’s journey from conditional allowances to a total ban proves that legal reform and public consensus can protect the formative years of life. It stands as a global role model for the global push to end child marriage and lower the teenage pregnancy rate worldwide.

– Nicole Fernandez

Nicole is based in Reno, NV, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash