A recent report has highlighted the critical link between poverty and child marriage, asserting that poor financial conditions remain the most dominant factor driving this harmful practice. While progress has been made in reducing child marriages in some regions, economic instability, climate shocks, and conflict are stalling advancement, leaving millions of girls vulnerable.
The report indicates that while the global prevalence of child marriage has decreased from one in four to one in five in the last decade, the rate of progress is insufficient to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the practice by 2030. Approximately 12 million girls still marry each year, and at the current rate, it will take 300 years to bring that number down to zero.
Poverty creates immense pressure on families, leading them to view child marriage as a coping mechanism. In many cultures, marriage involves economic transactions, such as dowries, which can incentivize parents to marry off their daughters at a young age to secure additional income or alleviate financial burdens. Girls may be seen as a burden, and marriage is perceived as a way to transfer that burden to another family.
The economic impact of COVID-19 has further exacerbated the problem, with an estimated 450,000 additional girls expected to be married between 2020 and 2025 in West and Central Africa alone. Conflicts and climate-induced displacement also contribute to the rise in child marriages, as families struggle to survive in increasingly challenging environments. For instance, in Pakistan, climate-induced displacement has led to an increase in "monsoon brides," where families marry off their daughters to cope with hardship.
Child marriage has devastating consequences for girls, including interrupted schooling, early pregnancy, social isolation, and increased risk of domestic violence. It deprives them of their childhood, limits their opportunities, and perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. Moreover, child marriage leads to lower educational attainment for girls and their children, reduces women's expected earnings, and increases population growth.
To combat child marriage effectively, it is crucial to address the underlying economic factors that drive the practice. This includes implementing policies and programs aimed at poverty reduction, promoting girls' education, and providing economic opportunities for women. It also requires addressing gender inequality and challenging social norms that perpetuate child marriage. Furthermore, governments must uphold their commitments to end child marriage and invest in vital services that support girls, including healthcare, education, and protection. Strong legal frameworks, such as setting the legal marriage age at 18, are also essential.
