The fight against child marriage is tough. According to UNICEF, the number of girls being forced into marriage is falling only slowly. Most child marriages are contracted in India.
There are currently around 640 million girls and women in the world who were married before their 18th birthday. That’s going out Estimates by the children’s charity UNICEF out. And every year, twelve million girls are added.
After all, according to UNICEF, the number of child marriages is declining slightly worldwide. The proportion of young women in child marriages has fallen from 21 percent to 19 percent since the last estimate five years ago.
Multiple crises drive girls into child marriage
However, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warns: “Multiple crises are dashed the hopes and dreams of children around the world – especially girls who should be students, not brides.” Health and economic crises, escalating armed conflicts and the devastating effects of climate change are forcing families to seek perceived security in child marriages.
Due to the strong population growth and ongoing crises, an increase in child marriages is to be expected in southern Africa in the coming years. Development is largely stagnating in Latin America and the Caribbean, in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Positive trend in South Asia
According to UNICEF, progress in South Asia is mainly responsible for the overall positive global trend. According to the report, the region is on the right track. According to the forecast by the children’s charity, it will take more than 50 years before child marriages are completely abolished there. Almost half of all child brides, namely 45 percent, still live in the region.
Although India has made significant strides in recent decades, it still accounts for a third of the world’s child marriages. Girls who are forced into child marriages are reported to be less likely to remain in school and at increased risk of early pregnancy.
Early marriage threatens isolation
Early marriage can also isolate girls from family and friends. “We have proven that progress in ending child marriage is possible,” Russell said. The support for endangered girls and families must therefore continue tirelessly. “We need to focus on keeping girls in school and making sure they have economic opportunities.”
According to UNICEF, the figures are based on representative data from more than 100 countries. They are composed of household surveys in the individual states and demographic data from the United Nations.