Eradication of child marriage is a critical global issue that involves complex social, cultural, economic, and legal challenges. It is defined as a formal marriage or informal union before the age of 18, often leads to serious consequences for young girls in spheres of education, health risks, and restricted opportunities for personal development. The overview of the approach includes: a. Legal Reform and Enforcement: Strengthening and enforcing laws that set the minimum age for marriage at 18, without exceptions, is fundamental. Effective enforcement requires government commitment and resources. Punishing those who facilitate child marriages, including parents, community leaders, and religious figures, can serve as a deterrent. b. Education: Education is one of the most powerful tools to delay marriage. When girls are in school, they are less likely to marry early. Efforts to improve access to quality education, especially secondary education, are vital. Educating communities about the negative impacts of child marriage can shift cultural norms and attitudes. c. Economic Empowerment: Poverty is a major driver of child marriage. Economic support for families, including access to social protection programs and microfinance, can reduce the financial pressures that lead to child marriages. Empowering girls with skills and opportunities to earn their own income can also reduce their dependency on marriage for financial security. d. Health Services: Providing reproductive health services and information can help prevent child marriages that result from unintended pregnancies. Access to healthcare for girls and young women, including sexual and reproductive health services, is crucial for their overall well-being. e. Community Engagement: Engaging religious and community leaders, who often play a key role in upholding traditions, can be effective in changing community norms and practices related to child marriage. Grassroots movements and NGOs working within communities can create significant change by raising awareness and supporting girls at risk of early marriage. f. Global and Regional Initiatives: International agreements and campaigns, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically target child marriage as a violation of human rights. Regional collaborations, like those in Africa and South Asia, where child marriage rates are highest, can create broader strategies for change. Eradication efforts require a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach that addresses the root causes and involves all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and international organizations.
Main causes
Child marriage is a complex issue with multiple causes, often intertwined with cultural, economic, and social factors. : a. Poverty: Economic Pressure: Families in poverty may see child marriage as a way to reduce the financial burden by having one less mouth to feed or securing a dowry or bride price. Financial Security: Marrying off daughters early is often viewed as a way to secure their future and alleviate economic strain on the family. b. Gender Inequality: Discrimination Against Girls: In many societies, girls are valued less than boys, leading to practices that control their sexuality and reproductive rights, such as child marriage. Patriarchal Norms: Cultural norms that prioritize the control of female sexuality and emphasize the role of girls as wives and mothers contribute to the persistence of child marriage. c. Lack of Education: Limited Educational Opportunities: In many areas, girls have limited access to education, and families may not see the value in educating girls, making marriage seem like the best or only option. Early School Dropout: Girls who drop out of school are more likely to be married off early, as education is often a protective factor against child marriage. d. Cultural and Social Norms: Tradition and Custom: In some cultures, child marriage is a long-standing tradition and is considered a rite of passage or a way to strengthen family ties. Social Pressure: Families may feel pressured by the community to marry off their daughters early to adhere to societal expectations or avoid the stigma associated with older, unmarried girls. e. Lack of Legal Protections: Weak Legal Frameworks: In some countries, laws against child marriage are either non-existent, weak, or poorly enforced, allowing the practice to continue. Legal Exceptions: Some countries have laws setting the minimum marriage age at 18 but allow exceptions with parental consent or judicial approval, which can be exploited. f. Perceived Protection of Family Honour: Preventing Premarital Relationships: In some cultures, child marriage is seen as a way to protect a girl’s virginity and family honour, ensuring that she does not engage in premarital relationships. Avoiding Scandal: Families may marry off their daughters early to avoid the stigma or scandal of a daughter being involved in a premarital relationship or pregnancy. g. Lack of Awareness and Education: Limited Awareness of Consequences: In many communities, there is a lack of understanding about the negative consequences of child marriage, including health risks and limited opportunities for girls. Cultural Beliefs: Persistent beliefs that child marriage is beneficial or necessary can continue the practice, especially in communities where education and awareness campaigns have not reached.
Global variations
The efforts to eradicate child marriage vary significantly across different regions and countries due to cultural, economic, legal, and social factors: a. South Asia: Prevalence: South Asia has one of the highest rates of child marriage globally, particularly in countries like India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. However, there has been significant progress in recent years, with declines in child marriage rates in several countries. Efforts: Governments in this region have implemented various legal reforms, education initiatives, and awareness campaigns. For example, India has introduced laws that prohibit child marriage and promote girls’ education, while Bangladesh has launched the “National Plan of Action to End Child Marriage 2018-2030.” b. Southeast Asia: Prevalence: Child marriage is prevalent in some Southeast Asian countries, particularly in Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Philippines. The practice is often driven by poverty, lack of education, and cultural norms. Efforts: Several countries in the region have launched national action plans to combat child marriage. For example, Indonesia has raised the legal age of marriage and implemented education programs aimed at preventing child marriage. c. Western Europe and North America: Prevalence: Child marriage is rare in Western Europe and North America, but it does occur, often within specific cultural or religious communities. In the U.S., for example, child marriage is legal in some states with parental consent or judicial approval. Efforts: There is growing momentum in these regions to completely ban child marriage. Several U.S. states have recently passed laws raising the minimum marriage age to 18 without exceptions. In Europe, countries like Germany and the Netherlands have strengthened laws against child marriage. Cultural norms, economic conditions, legal frameworks, and political stability play crucial roles in shaping the success of these efforts. Global efforts to eradicate child marriage are making progress, but the pace and effectiveness vary significantly across regions.