,

Child Marriage in Iran

Child Marriage in IranChild marriage is illegal in 153 countries. However, it is not in the past and still occurs legally quite frequently in 45 sovereign states. Despite the immense decline in matrimonies among minors, the numbers still remain disturbing in the eastern part of the world. One of the countries with a high prevalence rate of child marriage is Iran. 

Economy in Iran 

Iran is a Middle Eastern country known for its fossil fuel sources. The United States Department of Energy proclaimed Iran the world’s third-largest oil and second-largest natural gas reserves holder. Despite its abundance of lucrative resources, Iran’s Parliament Research Center reported that 30.8% of the population faces financial hardship. 

Legal and Illegal Child Marriages

The pervasiveness of underaged marriages is one of the reasons that detriments the economy of Iran. UNICEF shortlisted Iran in the top five countries with a high rate of child espousal in 2020 in the Middle East and North Africa. According to Iran Open Data, one out of five marriages is among minor people. The Islamic government established the legal age of marriage to be 13 for girls and 15 for boys. However, the Islamic Republic civil code permits people to get married below the set age with a legal guardian’s consent. 

Despite scientific research recording the physical, mental and moral harm caused by early marriages, Iranian law still allows it. Moreover, numerous cases of illegal marriages occur on a religious basis that forces girls to wait for their majority to get married legally. Therefore, an underaged wife is not eligible for endowment or financial support in case of the loss of her husband. In addition, society always demands young women to quit academic institutions in order to take care of the household. 

Economic, Mental and Moral Harm of Early Matrimony

The law’s acceptance of child marriage in Iran results in early pregnancy, illiteracy and social barriers for young women. All these factors are detrimental to the flourishing economy and society of the country because they lead to the gender gap in the community and workplace. 

Early marriage not only harms the economy of Iran, but it also motivates pedophilia and child mistreatment because Islamic Republic laws on marriage permit alternative forms of sexual pleasure besides penetration until the age of 9 for spouses. Hence, child marriage traumatizes girls and ruins their lives from an early age. 

The Effect of COVID-19

COVID-19 raised the number of early marriages. Iran Open Data announced a sharp increase in child nuptials. COVID-19 provoked this type of marriage after a gradual reduction previously. The Civil Registration Organization reported 118,000 registered underaged marriages, which is 9000 extra from the past years. 

Hope for Iranian Girls From the Government 

Regardless of a rapid spike in underaged marriages, the situation remains hopeful. Currently, the Iranian government is undertaking measures to prevent child marriage by increasing the age of the legal espousal for both men and women to 18 years old. The Iranian government has accepted for consideration an adjustment of the Civil Code to enlarge the legal age for matrimony. The law’s implementation will result in positive outcomes for the communal and financial future of the country. 

Furthermore, Iran aims to banish early and involuntary marriage by 2030. Apart from the legislation, Plan International has presented five solutions to thwart underaged matrimonies. It emphasized education and empowerment of young ladies to help the community be more supportive and accepting of women’s rights. Plan International offers to petition the Iranian government about the importance of girls’ development which they are not able to get because of forced and child marriages.

Positive Outcomes 

Augmentation of marriage age will result in a higher prevalence of education for both men and women. Since society will not force girls to abandon school in order to take care of their husbands and offspring. Thus, this change will affect the economic condition of Iran because more women will be able to work. 

It is important not only from an economic point of view but also from a social perspective, considering that girls will receive an opportunity to fulfill their potential in society. 

– Stephanie Len
Photo: Flickr

,

Addressing Child Marriage in Chad

Child Marriage in Chad
“I was given in marriage at 17, my husband was 35. I didn’t love him, he was mean to me. He was beating me, forcing me to sleep with him. He was hurting me a lot until I said to myself, enough is enough. I couldn’t go on with him. That’s why I decided to leave. If I stayed with him, he would’ve killed me.” 

This is the story of Titi, one of many who have suffered the experience of child marriage in Chad. Her words are a testament to the harsh realities that Chad is facing. The African nation is grappling with the grim challenge of having one of the highest child marriage rates in the world. The extent of the issue is staggering — while poverty, displacement, regional and ethnic disparities and cultural complexities play their part in forming this burden.

The Scale of Child Marriage in Chad

UNICEF’s 2014 report puts the rate of child marriage in Chad as the third highest in the world, only behind Bangladesh and Niger. Chadian girls are suffering staggering marriage rates as 29% of girls under 15 are married, and a staggering 70% are married before their 18th birthday. Taking into account that Chad has 1.8 million girls between the ages of 10 and 19, a very conservative estimate shows that more than half a million girls are married while still being children.

Regional Inequalities

Ethnic diversity defines the threads of Chad’s identity. Nevertheless, within the complex tapestry of tradition, poverty and gender norms, certain regions and ethnic groups bear a disproportionate burden in the nation’s child marriage crisis. The rate of female child marriage in the Chari Baguirmi region is at a disheartening 70%, while the Mayo Kebbi Est, Guera, Kanem and Salamat regions range from low to mid 60%. Child marriage in Chad, however, is not exclusive to girls, as 23% of boys in the Logone Oriental region suffer from this reality, followed by the Logone Occidental, Mandoul and Mayo Kebbi Ouest regions, with rates between 12% and 17%. There are also disparities by ethnicity, as the Peul/Foulbe group grapples with a devastating 67% prevalence of child marriage, trailed by Massa/Mousseye, Baguirmi/Barma and Kanembou/Bomou from low to mid 60%.

Roots of Child Marriage in Chad

In Chad, poverty, insecurity and limited access to vital services like education fuel the distressing prevalence of child marriage. At its core, gender norms and economic and humanitarian turmoil are the main drivers of child marriage in Chad. Very conservative gender perspectives paired with 5.5 million individuals in need of humanitarian aid, 406,000 people displaced and over 528,000 refugees from neighboring lands create a context for desperation. 

Views of women’s purity and honor cut across religious lines. Child marriage practices permeate households nationwide, encompassing Catholic, Protestant, Animist and Muslim families alike. Moreover, poverty within these communities significantly drives child marriage in Chad. With 54% of young brides originating from the poorest households, impoverished families see early marriage for their daughters as a means of alleviating perceived financial burdens. Harsh expectations, skewed perceptions, and destitute material conditions create a context for child marriage to thrive.

World Vision’s Efforts

While child marriage in Chad is a dire situation that affects countless people, World Vision is an NGO playing its part in helping prevent and alleviate the burdens of this reality. World Vision works to fight inequality, poverty and injustices and explicitly intends to combat child marriage in Chad through its child protection and participation program. This program focuses on improving children’s quality of life through protection from abusive behaviors. More than 59 child protection clubs have been created, which provide children with the tools necessary to promote their protection and development as well as provide a safe space for expressing their points of view. 

In 2019, World Vision was able to annul 37 child marriage cases, allowing girls to return to school, while also aiding in reporting more than 50 child protection incidents that received appropriate responses. Furthermore, World Vision educated 310 religious and community leaders, along with 3,000 individuals, about the implications of child marriage and the detrimental impact of violence against children. World Vision’s work stands as a testament to the power of efforts to alleviate the burdens that countless Chadian children face.

Final Thoughts

The well-being and promotion of youth form the foundation for the future of any nation. The scope of child marriage in Chad is disheartening. The situation is indeed dire, with an urgent need for comprehensive interventions to safeguard the livelihoods of these children as well as the future prosperity of the nation.

– Agustín Pino
Photo: Flickr

,

Ongoing Efforts Focused on Improving Women’s Rights in Mauritania 

Women’s Rights in Mauritania According to Georgetown’s 2021-2022 Women, Peace and Security Index, Mauritania is the 14th worst country for women to live in. Lying below the southern border of Morocco in the northwest of Africa, Mauritania is deeply conservative and one of the poorest nations on earth. Currently, 56.9% of its residents live in multi-dimensional poverty. The country’s laws designate men as the head of households, structurally relegating women to domestic roles and leaving them with limited opportunities to improve their economic situation. Sharia law and cultural influences have entrenched gender-based discrimination in Mauritania. Nevertheless, there is hope, as the treatment of women has seen some gradual improvements. 

Combatting Sexual and Physical Violence Against Women

Mauritania alarmingly accepts sexual and physical violence against women both socially and institutionally. The country’s governance by Sharia law leads to severe punishment for “Zina,” or sex outside of marriage. The high burden of evidence required to prove rape makes women hesitant to report their assaults, fearing legal punishment for engaging in intercourse if the state fails to prosecute the attacker. Consequently, only about 20% of rape cases are reported, as per the findings of the Social Welfare Ministry. Besides the moral implications of widespread rape, the trauma of sexual assault significantly hinders women’s independence and economic well-being in the long run.

Moreover, Mauritania often tolerates domestic violence without prosecution, and this contributes to perpetuating poverty. A study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revealed that a mere 1% increase in female victimhood from domestic violence corresponds to a 9% drop in economic activity. Although legislation urgently addresses these injustices, progress has been slow. Despite activists’ efforts leading to the government passing the Law Against Violence Against Women and Girls, it was never certified by parliament. In the meantime, NGOs like the “Association of Women Heads of Households” (AFCF), founded by women’s rights activist Aminetou Mint El-Moctar in 1999, provide crucial support to women by intervening in cases of sexual assault and assisting them in pressing charges.

Creating Economic Opportunities for Women

Addressing gender disparities in economic opportunities is essential for empowering Mauritanian women. The country’s rank as sixth worst in the world, according to the Women’s Workplace Equality Index, underscores the urgent need for action. Several potent barriers to economic equality exist, including differences in wages, limitations on land rights, restricted opportunities for specific jobs, social stigma and the absence of legal authority to be heads of households.

Although some laws exist to address these issues, the government often has limited control over local rule. Consequently, the female labor participation rate was a mere 26% in 2022 compared to 57% for men. Women who do have jobs often occupy informal domestic positions without formal arrangements and social protections, making them highly vulnerable to falling into poverty. Unfortunately, up to 20% of the population remains enslaved.

In recent years, the government has taken steps to address these issues, such as promoting female political representation, expanding job opportunities, investing in education and cracking down on slavery. A national multi-party platform involving local authorities and NGOs was established to help enforce federal laws, particularly concerning land rights. However, external observers, including the World Bank, argue that Mauritania must focus on achieving legal gender equality through comprehensive systemic reforms.

Confronting Forced Child Marriage

Gender inequality in marriage is another significant concern in Mauritania, with 37% of girls going into marriage before their 18th birthday. Some communities even resort to force-feeding girls to make them appear more sexually mature at a younger age. Early and forced marriages seriously undermine women’s rights and economic potential in Mauritania. While cultural norms play a critical role in perpetuating this practice, poverty also motivates women to marry early.

The Mauritanian government has pledged to end forced child marriage within the next decade, collaborating with UNICEF to enact legislative and judicial reforms and conduct education campaigns against the practice. For instance, UNICEF worked with local imams to create religious arguments supporting children’s rights.

Additionally, the government has implemented programs like the Sahel Women Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD) to empower girls to stay in school, as pregnancy is a significant barrier to girls’ education prospects in Mauritania. Nevertheless, human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, insist that there is a need for legislation establishing a minimum age for marriage in line with international standards and giving women the legal right to refuse marriage. Moreover, despite being technically illegal in Mauritania, child marriage remains permissible with parental and judicial consent.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges Mauritania faces regarding gender inequality, there is hope for positive change. Activists and NGOs like AFCF provide support to women facing violence and discrimination, while the government has taken steps to promote female political representation and expand job opportunities. Collaborating with UNICEF, Mauritania aims to end forced child marriage and empower girls to stay in school through programs like SWEDD. Although progress may be gradual, these efforts signal a growing commitment to improving the lives and economic prospects of Mauritanian women.

– David Newman
Photo: Flickr

5 Facts About Child Marriage in Mali

According to UNICEF, over 600 million women worldwide were married before the age of 18. U.N. Women in Kayes, Sikasso and Moptiwas identified Mali, the eighth largest country in Africa, as a hotspot for child marriage. A study conducted by the National Library of Medicine found that 58.2% of Malian women aged 18-49 were married before their 18th birthday and 20.3% before the age of 15. There are several factors driving child marriage, but poverty is a particularly influential force. As one of the poorest nations in Africa, Mali is extremely vulnerable to child marriage practices with over 50% of the population living in extreme poverty. While its humanitarian situation has worsened in recent years, Mali is committed to eliminating child marriage through national and global initiatives.

5 Facts About Child Marriage in Mali

  1. Gender Inequality – Child marriage disproportionately affects girls due to extreme gender disparities that marginalize women. According to the Gender Inequality Index, Mali ranked as the 186th worst country in terms of gender equality. Girls in Mali often face restrictions and control by men with many being denied access to education especially those who marry as children. Also, child marriage in Mali is closely associated with high rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) — a practice that typically involves partial or complete removal of external female genitalia. UNICEF concluded that 89% of girls and women in Mali have undergone FGM. Unfortunately, FGM is a common premarital practice affecting thousands of girls in Mali.
  2. Lack of Education – Limited educational opportunities put Malian girls at a higher risk of child marriage compared to those with higher levels of education. Data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) in 2015 indicates that 50% of women who completed only primary school were married before the age of 18, compared to 18% of those who pursued further education. The exclusion of girls from educational spaces exacerbates their vulnerability to child marriage.
  3. Cultural Norms – Certain cultural practices in Southern Mali contribute to child marriage. For example, bride kidnapping is a prevalent custom that forces abducted girls to marry their captors to preserve notions of “purity.” Girls who refuse to marry their abductors often face social stigma, with assumptions about their lost virginity. Family honor holds significant value in Mali and many girls are forced into marriage to prevent premarital sex and pregnancy, which is considered shameful by many Malian families.
  4. COVID-19 – Unfortunately, many Malian households were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to UNICEF, the number of Malian individuals in need of humanitarian assistance rose from 4.3 to 6.8 million in July 2020, which includes 3.5 million children due to issues such as financial hardships and school closings amongst others. Consequently, more girls are in danger of child marriage because of these issues.
  5. Poverty – Poverty plays a central role in child marriage, influencing other key factors such as gender inequality, limited education and harmful cultural practices. Because Malian women are disproportionately affected by poverty, they are more likely to use marriage as a means of income. Furthermore, in some regions, women in Mali are sold and bought for financial gain which makes them more likely to be viewed as a commodity. Girls in poverty are also less likely to have access to education and welfare protection which leaves them increasingly vulnerable to child marriage. According to Girls Not Brides, 51% of women in the poorest households were married before their 18th birthday compared to 36% in wealthier households.

Looking Ahead

Mali is actively developing national action plans to eliminate child and forced marriage. For example, Mali set the minimum age of marriage to 18 under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Along with this, Mali is one of nine countries in Africa to sign the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage.

Also, Mali committed to a 5-year action plan in July 2021 at the Generation Equality Forum in France to advance efforts toward improving gender equality. The goal is to use a $40 million investment to develop both legal and social change to end various forms of gender-based violence including child marriage and FGM by 2026. First Lady Mali Keïta Aminata Maïga led a campaign entitled “Education for girls: a means to eliminating early child marriage” which advocates for keeping girls in school to help end child marriage.

The fight against child marriage in Mali gain globed traction after the European Union made an $18 million investment between 2019-2020 which is meant to go toward ending harmful and violent practices toward women. These funds have been funneled to various organizations that promote legislation on gender-based violence, institutions supporting government efforts, prevention methods, data collection agencies, social monitoring platforms and support services. Ultimately, this investment will help decrease child marriage rates in Mali.

Conclusion

While Mali has put forth massive plans to decrease child marriage cases, continual efforts must be made in order to address this issue. Facilitating access to education and promoting financial relief for Malians in poverty will be instrumental in eradicating child marriage in Mali altogether. 

– Olivia Welling
Photo: Flickr

What to Know About Child Marriage in Ethiopia

Child Marriage in EthiopiaIn Ethiopia, child marriage rates are among the highest in the world. According to Girls Not Brides, 40% of girls marry before their 18th birthday, and 14% marry before they turn 15. Rates of child marriage are the highest in the Amhara region and girls from poor households and rural areas are the most vulnerable. The Ethiopian government and organizations such as UNICEF are working to combat the issue, and as a result, the rate of child marriage in Ethiopia has declined over the past two decades.

Child Marriage Rates in Ethiopia

From 2005 to 2016, the percentage of women in Ethiopia that marry before their 18th birthday slightly declined. The rates of child marriage for under 15-year-old girls saw an even greater decrease. However, according to UNICEF, rates of child marriage increased once again in 2022 as a result of severe droughts. The drought, which killed livestock and brought famine, meant that parents were more likely to marry off their daughters in order to secure dowries that help to feed the rest of their family. In fact, according to government sources, child marriage rates increased by 119% in 2022 in the areas worst affected by the drought. These include Oromia, Somali and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNP).

Causes of Child Marriage

Child marriage and poverty are undoubtedly linked, and, according to Girls Not Brides, 58% of girls living in the poorest households in Ethiopia marry before they turn 18. However, a 2016 UNICEF report revealed that poverty is not the strongest driving force of child marriage in Ethiopia and that girls from richer families are also at risk.

Wealthy families often use child marriage to demonstrate social status or consolidate wealth, using young girls to obtain financial security for their families. In Amhara particularly, promising a young child in marriage is seen as a way to form alliances with other affluent families. Additionally, bridewealth payments are customary in Southern Ethiopia and are a vital form of income for many families.

UNICEF reported that gender and cultural norms are the most significant contributor to high child marriage rates. Ethiopian culture views girls as wives and mothers, placing a low value on female education. There is a stigma surrounding premarital pregnancy and the idea that girls are “impure” if they do not marry at a young age is widely accepted, with many parents believing that marriage between the ages of 15 and 18 is not early.

Many girls do not get to receive education because of these gender norms, but also because their parents fear that if they are sent away to secondary school they will be raped or abducted. There is a clear correlation between education levels and child marriage rates. According to Girls Not Brides, around 68% of Ethiopian girls with no education marry before they turn 18 compared with 13% of girls who received full secondary education.

Combating Child Marriage

The UNICEF-UNFPA Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage is a multi-donor program, launched in 2016, of which Ethiopia is a focus country. In 2020, the program identified 3,749 child marriages, and law enforcement subsequently prevented 2,051 of these, Girls Not Brides reports. One strategy it employs to decrease rates of child marriage in Ethiopia is keeping adolescent girls in education, and in 2018 a total of 73,771 girls remained in education as a result of the program’s efforts.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a setback for the program, however, it continued to operate and supported 5.1 million of 24 million children to continue education by way of online programs and radio.

Commitment from the Ethiopian Government

According to the 2019 UNICEF report, at the first global Girl Summit held in London in 2014, the Ethiopian government pledged to end child marriage in Ethiopia by the year 2025. In 2019, the president of Ethiopia presented the National Costed Roadmap to End Child Marriage and FGM/C 2020-2024. The Ministry of Women, Children and Youth created the roadmap with the support of UNICEF and UNFPA.

It is a five-year plan that outlines five pillar strategies to eliminate child marriage by the year 2025, such as community engagement with religious and political leaders; with the aim of increasing investment in young girls and their education. It works to reinforce the commitments made by the Ethiopian government in 2014. The Roadmap estimates that to achieve this goal, progress will need to be 10 times faster than it has been over the past decade.

The five-year roadmap will cost 2.72 billion Ethiopian Birr to implement, a figure which equates to around £40 million.

Elimination of Child Marriage

If Ethiopia achieves the 2025 target, the World Bank/International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) estimates that ending child marriage in Ethiopia could generate a 9.3% rise in earnings for women who marry early, and up to $1.5 billion in additional earnings and productivity for the whole country, according to Girls Not Brides. Currently, Ethiopia’s child marriage rates remain among the highest in the world, but there is hope that with the implementation of the roadmap, rates could decline and help the eradication of child marriage in Ethiopia.

– Lily Cooper
Photo: Flickr

5 Facts About Child Marriage in Bolivia

Child Marriage in BoliviaBolivia is a “lower-middle income country” where at least 40% of the citizens live under the national poverty line, with women and children being at the highest risk. Child marriage and unions closely associate with poverty due to the lack of education, job availability and food scarcity. It is an issue that affects all genders, but young women and girls often face more exposure due to the perceived socio-economic “benefits” that come with marrying off a daughter. The following are some facts about child marriage in Bolivia.

5 Facts About Child Marriage in Bolivia

  1. The Law: In Bolivia, 18 is the minimum legal age of marriage, but children as young as 16 can get married with their parent’s permission and consent. Around 20% of children below the age of 18 are either married or in a union and around 3% of children under the age of 16 are in a marriage. These numbers, however, don’t take into account the number of informal unions in the country. Poverty is a great indicator of the likelihood of child marriage in Bolivia. Children have little relative autonomy and their parents often make decisions regarding their marriage for them. For many parents, pushing child marriage is a means to escape poverty. They may receive a form of dowry for marrying off a child and/or feel some relief from having one less child to care for. According to the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), some consider child marriage a “necessary means for survival, for both the family and child.”
  2. Girls are More Likely to Go into Marriage: Girls are at a higher risk for child marriage in Bolivia, and this is partly due to gender inequality and discrimination. Girls Not Brides reports that there is the belief that women are inferior to men and that women and girls should be submissive to men in the country. Nevertheless, Bolivia has the highest rate of child marriage among boys in the world, Save the Children reports. This is because most people view marriage as a stepping stone to power. There are certain positions that men can get only if they are married, and this motivates boys to go into child marriage in Bolivia.
  3. Population Growth and Poverty: High rates of child marriage and unofficial unions result in a higher population. Many families that come from child marriage live in poverty and rely on welfare from the government. Studies suggest that the cost of welfare in countries with high child marriage rates could reach up to $500 billion annually.
  4. Education Matters: Keeping children in school has positive impacts on reducing the rates of child marriage. The World Bank reports that each year of schooling a child gets, especially for girls, has a 5% points reduction in the likelihood of entering marriage before the age of 18. Ensuring adequate and available education to poor and rural communities could lower rates of child marriage in Bolivia and result in increased earnings potential. About 90% of girls in Bolivia complete lower secondary school, but the quality and accessibility aren’t standard across the country. Girls in rural communities are less likely to finish their secondary education. These communities also have the highest rate of child marriage.
  5. Government Intervention: The government aims to end child marriage and forced unofficial unions in Bolivia by 2030. It has been co-sponsoring the Human Rights Council resolution on child marriages and the U.N. General Assembly resolutions on child marriages since 2013. The government has also worked on providing comprehensive education and awareness about “principles of equality between men and women in marriage” in both Spanish and indigenous languages. There are ongoing efforts to provide better access and quality education to girls who are at the highest risk of child marriage in Bolivia. The Country Programme which ran from 2018 to 2022 focused on providing foundations in four output areas to enhance education and accessibility for rural and indigenous communities.

The Future

Bolivia made the greatest reduction in poverty in Latin America which, in turn, could help resolve the child marriage situation. The government’s plan to create a stronger education system with Spanish and local languages in rural and indigenous communities could also have a major impact on ending child marriage in the country. While child marriage is still a problem in Bolivia, organizations like the World Bank, UNICEF and Girls Not Brides continue to work toward bringing change in the country.

– Kathryn Kendrick
Photo: Flickr

,

5 Organizations Ending Child Marriage in Pakistan

Child Marriage in PakistanIn most areas of Pakistan, the legal age for marriage is 16 years old. Yet, millions of children are a part of marriage contracts prior to reaching this age. Child marriage disproportionately affects Pakistani girls, with UNICEF estimating that in 2022, 4.6 million girls became brides before they reached 15.

Several factors cause child marriage in Pakistan, including patriarchal social norms and economic reasons. Poverty in the nation leads poorer families to marry off their daughters so that they no longer have to economically provide for them.

Child marriage has many negative repercussions for young girls, including an increased risk of being in an abusive marriage, falling pregnant before being physically prepared for childbirth and not being able to complete their studies. Fortunately, there are numerous charities operating to end child marriage in Pakistan.

5 Organizations Ending Child Marriage in Pakistan

  1. Blue Veins: Blue Veins is a charity based in Pakistan which is operating since 1999. Since its creation, its mission has been to better the lives of women, children and transgender people through social change. Ending child marriage in Pakistan is among the charity’s highest priorities. Through its Power to Girls campaign, it has worked to make this goal a reality. The campaign involves creating public awareness of the dangers and realities of child marriage and encouraging policymakers to develop legislation that will protect children from being coerced into marriage contracts before reaching the legal age.
  2. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): The UNFPA is an agency responsible for improving women’s reproductive health worldwide. Its work in Pakistan involves empowering women through developing health care and ending child marriage. The UNFPA collaborates with multiple organizations to safeguard children’s rights and support them against being pressured into underage marriage. It researches and advocates for protective legislation and it provides reproductive health guidance and services to girls across the nation. The agency also supports child brides in Pakistan who cannot exit their marriages by providing them with health care and reproductive education. Additionally, it offers counseling services to survivors of underage marriages to aid their mental well-being.
  3. Girls Not Brides: Girls Not Brides is an international NGO made up of more than 1,600 organizations that share the mutual goal of ending child marriage globally. Its work focuses on developing local change. For example, it holds interventions with local and religious leaders in rural communities in Pakistan to educate them on the negative impacts of child marriage on girls and to inspire them to put a stop to the practice within their communities. It also commits to equipping girls with the confidence to refuse marriage at a young age. Girls Not Brides has created safe space programs which provide girls with life skills and the chance to access economic independence through cash transfers.
  4. Save the Children: Founded in 1919, Save the Children is an international charity that aims to alleviate the struggles that children living in poverty face. This involves working to end child marriage in nations where the practice is commonplace, including Pakistan. Save the Children believes that the most effective way to end child marriage as a practice is to champion education for girls and equip them with life skills that will enable them to reject marriage offers at a young age.
  5. Bedari: Bedari is a Pakistan-based NGO that focuses on protecting women’s and children’s rights. Female Pakistani professionals who believed that women and girls living in abusive households lacked the support they needed to be able to escape founded the organization in 1991. The founders of Bedari aimed to create an organization dedicated to helping women in violent domestic situations. Since the organization’s inception, it has extended its work to preventing child marriage in Pakistan. Bedari partners with donors to carry out programs designed to put a stop to child marriage. For example, Bedari worked with the Commonwealth of Learning, Canada, to create the GIRLS Inspire project. This project operated in the Punjab region of Pakistan and aimed to raise awareness among communities about the negative impact of child marriage. The organization achieved this through theatre performances and education sessions for parents and local leaders to encourage them to eradicate the practice. It also offered self-growth sessions for girls to inspire them to stand up for their rights.

The Future

Child marriage in Pakistan remains an issue affecting millions of young girls. The consequences of underage marriage for girls include a deterioration of physical and mental health and a lack of economic and personal freedom. On the bright side, there are charities that publically highlight the dark reality of child marriage in Pakistan. And these organizations continue making efforts to put an end to the practice.

– Mohsina Alam
Photo: Flickr

Child Marriage in Vietnam

Child Marriage in VietnamAccording to Girls Not Brides, an organization dedicated to bringing an end to child marriage across the globe, 11% of girls in Vietnam marry before their 18th birthday. Approximately 1% of these girls marry before they turn 15 years old. And as things stand, most reported cases of child marriage in Vietnam come from within the rural and isolated mountainous regions.

Causes of Child Marriage in Vietnam

Low income, low levels of education among young girls and outdated traditions are the leading causes of child marriage in Vietnam. And according to a Poverty Child article, “Poverty is one of the main causes of child marriage globally.”

Households with many occupants, especially in rural areas, do not have the funds to provide food and other necessities for all of their members. This creates a pressing situation that typically, according to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), results in any of two outcomes:

  • Children between the ages of 5 to 17 years end up working in hazardous environments instead of going to school.

  • Young girls unwillingly go into marriages with older men in a bid to relieve their poor families from providing for them. Typically, the groom pays the bride’s family a dowry in exchange for her hand in marriage. For many households, the money from the dowry is a respite from the poverty-hunger cycle.

Traditionalism is a major part of Vietnamese culture, especially in lower-income areas where education is not a priority. Within some communities, the parents of young girls consent to child marriage. Traditional families are afraid of the stigma around pre-marital sex and fear pregnancy as an outcome of letting their daughters receive education or be independent. Additionally, many societies employ shame as a tool to coerce parents into marrying off their young daughters.

Fighting Child Marriage in Vietnam

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Vietnam customarily calls on the world to end child marriage on Valentine’s Day every year. In an article published on 14th February 2022, the UNFPA said, “Child marriage is a human rights violation that often ensnares the most vulnerable, impoverished and marginalized girls.”

The EMPoWR Project

The plea was a part of UNFPA’s promotional campaign for the EMPoWR Project, which is co-funded by the Delegation of the European Union and Plan International in Belgium. The project aims to enhance awareness of ethnic minority children and young people on human trafficking and child marriage through digital technology. The EMPoWR Project resulted from a collaboration between multiple organizations, including the Department of Children under the Ministry of Labor, Plan International Vietnam and the Institute for Social Development Studies (ISDS). The project commenced in 2020 and will run through 2023, with the aim of reaching the four provinces of Ha Giang, Lai Chau, Quang Binh and Quang Tri in Vietnam.

In September 2021, the EMPoWR project expanded to establish a digital platform called ‘Em Vui’ (meaning ‘I’m Happy’ in Vietnamese), aiming to provide support to vulnerable children and young people from ethnic minorities in Vietnam. The goal of this project is to prevent human trafficking and child marriage in the country. The platform is easily accessible via social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, making it convenient and readily available for marginalized Vietnamese youth.

Reinforcing the Legislation

In 2016, a representative from the National Committee for Ethnic Minorities informed the government of the gap in legislation around protecting vulnerable minors from child marriage in Vietnam.

In January 2018, the Vietnamese government enacted a new Criminal Code to protect young women from child marriage and trafficking. The legislation also stipulated doling out harsh sentences for offenders. Under the Marriage and Family Law in Vietnam, the minimum age for marriage across the country is now 18 years for girls and 20 years for boys.

Looking Ahead

Poverty and low levels of education have been the main causes of child marriage in Vietnam. However, initiatives such as Em Vui continue to make progress in bringing about positive change, with 60% of girls with access to education reporting that they were ready to reject forced marriages in an EMPoWR survey.

– Vahisté Sinor
Photo: Flickr

Child Marriage in Zambia

Child Marriage in ZambiaChild marriage, a formal or informal union involving a person below the age of 18, is an infringement upon internationally agreed human rights, diminishing young people’s ability to realize their rights to education, health, quality of life, safety and dignity. Child marriage rates in Zambia are some of the highest globally, but increasing action from the Zambian government and international organizations is leading to improvements in legal protection and changes in beliefs around child marriage.

Child marriage exposes girls to a range of challenges, including an increased risk of HIV transmission, domestic violence and maternal and infant mortality. Furthermore, early marriages can prevent girls from finishing their education, limiting their ability to reach their potential in the future. For these reasons, Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 aims to end child marriage by 2030.
The rates of child marriage in Zambia are among the highest in the world, predominantly affecting young girls. Although rates have fallen somewhat, in 2018, 44.4% of women in Zambia aged 20 to 29 were married as children.

Child Marriage in Zambia Falls Under Three Categories:

  1. Marriages between two adolescents, usually between the ages of 11 and 14.
  2. Intergenerational marriages in which an adolescent girl marries an older man, often twice her age.
  3. A tactical child marriage which is made in an attempt to avoid disgracing the family due to situations such as teenage pregnancy.

Poverty and Child Marriage

One of the biggest driving forces behind the high rates of child marriage in Zambia is poverty, a challenge that affects 60% of the population. Families marrying their daughters off in Zambia receive a lobola payment or a ‘bride price’. Consequently, a marriage can provide a family with vital income and the means to support other children through education. In this way, poverty and child marriage form a vicious cycle.
As aforementioned, the economic gain from child marriage can often push impoverished families into child marriages. However, the deprivation of education and employment opportunities created by child marriages perpetuates poverty. A UNICEF study from 2015 identified a clear link between higher child marriage rates and the lack of access to education and employment opportunities. These processes create an intergenerational cycle of poverty and young marriages.

Legal Discrepancies

Zambia’s legal system does not currently function in a way that can support ending child marriages. The country adheres to both statutory and customary laws, creating discrepancies and uncertainty around legal protections. According to statutory law, the 1964 Marriage Act states that marriage is only legal for those over the age of 21, although a person below this age may marry with parental consent. Statutory protection is insufficient to prevent child marriage, however, as the law does not specify a lower threshold at which parental consent cannot allow a marriage to take place. Furthermore, statutory law enables a high-court judge to grant consent for a child under the age of 16 to marry.
Customary laws determine the legality of marriage by the time at which a child reaches puberty, rather than a specific age. Statutory law states that nothing in the official Marriage Act impacts the validity of a marriage carried out in accordance with customary law. As a result of these vague and contradictory laws, there is insufficient legal protection for girls who reach puberty. Instead, girls who begin menstruation, usually around the age of nine to 13, often undergo an initiation ceremony where they receive education about marriage, caring for a husband and looking after a home.

Ending Child Marriage in Zambia

UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) joined forces in 2016 to launch the Global Program to End Child Marriage, focusing on the 12 countries with the highest rates of child marriage. Zambia has been the focus of much of UNICEF and the UNFPA’s work. A 2017 report from the UNFPA recommended an approach to efforts to end child marriage in Zambia.
Firstly, efforts need to respect and incorporate different community values and systems across Zambia. This is particularly important when addressing customary law, as this is a key part of many communities’ histories. The UNFPA suggested efforts should start by aligning customary laws to an amended Constitution based on a clearer definition of marriage that states it as an act only lawful between two consenting adults. It suggests that customs and traditions around marriage may change over time through education campaigns focused on the impact that early marriages can have on children. Secondly, efforts must prioritize the safety of and care for adolescent girls, primarily through efforts to keep young girls in education. Some of the main reasons that young girls leave education and end up married are poverty, social vulnerability and teenage pregnancy.
According to the report, the creation of financial incentives for poor families to keep their daughters in school could overcome issues presented by poverty. Education campaigns, as well as the creation of ‘safe spaces’ for girls both in schools and in communities, could lower social vulnerability. Finally, lowering rates of teenage pregnancy requires long-term planning to improve sex education and reproductive health services across Zambia.

A Zambian Community Case Study

The UNFPA-UNICEF Global Program to End Child Marriage has supported the Zambian government-led Community Welfare Assistance Committee (CWAC) in the Zambian regions of Katete and Senanga. This approach focuses on the two points raised above: sensitivity to varying community values and safety for young girls.
Based on a USAID approach used to engage Zambian communities in HIV/AIDS prevention, this project to minimize child marriage uses community-based workers who understand the community and already have their trust. This allows the CWAC approach to be appropriate and targeted. Community workers with the CWAC look for signs of vulnerability and identify risk factors for young girls. Once they have identified those in need of help, workers bring in a network of community members to support the family and engage in discussions around their child’s wellbeing.
In 2020, there were 140 trained CWAC workers across Katete and Senanga. In this same year, the project helped 49 girls across the two regions avoid premature marriage. Although there is currently limited data to assess the impact of this project fully, CWAC workers have already had a positive influence on the communities they have been working in, as evidenced by the number of girls saved from child marriages.

Caring for Survivors of Child Marriage in Zambia

According to suggestions, preventative measures addressing child marriage must coincide with efforts to support survivors to overcome the barriers that they face. World Vision International followed the story of Tichoke, a girl from Zambia who married when she was only 14. Tichoke’s older husband mistreated her and she struggled to provide for her new family. Amid her struggle and facing little support from her parents, Tichoke reached out to some local counselors, supported by World Vision Zambia. With their help, Tichoke escaped her marriage and went back to school. As of 2019, Tichoke was in grade 9 and was hoping to work as a nurse when she graduated.
For child brides like Tichoke, their families’ decisions needn’t be the end of their goals and aspirations.
As part of the 2020 U.N. Women program, the Zambian government established a scheme of giving scholarships to survivors of child marriage in an attempt to encourage them back into education. Not only would this sort of scheme benefit the victims of child marriage, but it could lead to a significant increase in the country’s productivity and output. A 2017 World Bank study estimated that Zambia could increase its GDP by USD 68.2 million by ending the practice of child marriage.

The Future of Child Marriage in Zambia

Zambia continues to have some of the highest rates of child marriages in the world. However, international efforts such as the UNFPA-UNICEF program and increasing action from the Zambian government suggest that the country is heading in the right direction. Alongside general poverty alleviation support, a focus on mitigating factors and caring for survivors spark hope in the fight against child marriage in Zambia.

– Polly Walton
Photo: Flickr

Child Marriage in Egypt: A Harmful Practice

Child Marriage in EgyptEgypt currently faces a significant child marriage issue. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reports indicate that nearly 17% of girls marry before turning 18. Child marriage in Egypt pervades the country, infringing on young girls’ rights and adversely affecting their health, education and future opportunities.

Child Protection Law in Egypt and Loopholes in the Legal Age of Marriage

The Persons and Family Law No. 126 of 2008 mandates a legal marriage age of at least 18 years old for both men and women. Unfortunately, since there are no criminal penalties for families conducting child marriages through religious ceremonies, girls in rural areas become three times more likely to marry before 18.

Some religious and cultural traditions support early marriage, legally registering the marriage only when the bride turns 18. Underage girls may also enter unofficial customary marriages called “urfi.”

Risks and Consequences of Child Marriage

World Bank statistics show that 46 of every 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19 gave birth in Egypt in 2020. Early marriage often leads to girls dropping out of school, which limits their future opportunities and increases their vulnerability to poverty. Furthermore, they are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Government Efforts to Ban Child Marriage in Egypt

The Egyptian government has committed to eliminating child marriage in Egypt by 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal target 5.3. Various actions are in progress, including the establishment of Equal Opportunities Units within ministries, the launch of initiatives to increase women’s participation in the economy and partnerships with the United Nations (U.N.) agencies for women’s empowerment.

The Egyptian government has launched a comprehensive National Strategy for the Empowerment of Women 2030 aimed at empowering women across various spheres of life, focusing on six key pillars. In addition to this, the government has also endorsed Egypt’s National Strategy for the Prevention of Early Marriage 2015-2020, demonstrating its commitment to promoting the rights of women in the country. Since 2019, the Egyptian government has been making recommendations to prevent child marriage in Egypt and intensify awareness-raising campaigns.

Local and International Non-Governmental Organizations Efforts

Organizations such as the Tadwein Center for Gender Studies and Plan International work to address the root causes of child marriage, like poverty and lack of access to education. The Tadwein Center for Gender Studies, established in 2014, promotes gender awareness, empowers women and fights against violence against women and girls in Egypt. The center initiated the #HerDreamIsMoreImportant social media campaign in 2020, addressing child marriage consequences. The campaign started during the global event Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Plan International, working in Egypt since 1981, aims to improve children’s lives through education and gender equity. Its program offers psychosocial support to over 4,000 vulnerable Syrian refugee and Egyptian children, providing safe spaces and fostering resilience. This approach empowers girls to resist early marriage and raises community awareness about gender equality and children’s rights.

Declining Rates of Child Marriage in Egypt

UNICEF statistics show a decline in child marriage rates, as the percentage of women marrying before the age of 15 dropped from 3.9% in 2000 to 2.0% in 2014. Various factors contribute to this positive trend, including government partnerships with the National Council for Women and U.N. Women Egypt Country Office and prioritizing the 2030 National Women’s Empowerment Strategy.

Consequently, women’s unemployment rate dropped from 21.7% in 2019 to 17.7% in 2020. Furthermore, educated girls with improved societal status marry later, contributing to inclusive economic development.

In the Works for Egypt

The Association of the Egyptian Female Lawyers launched a campaign called #1000جمعية#, or #1000Associations#, to urge President Abd El Fattah El Sisi and parliamentarians to criminalize child marriage in Egypt. While the Egyptian government has achieved progress in fighting child marriage, implementing further action to strengthen enforcement and tackle the root causes of this harmful practice could deliver more desired results. With the continued commitment of the Egyptian government, NGOs and international partners, there is hope for a future that is free of child marriage.

– Tanya Hamad
Photo: Flickr