Understanding Child Marriages: Definitions, Impacts, and Prevention

A cura di:

• Sofia Menaresi - Senior Researcher Mondo Internazionale G.E.O. Cultura & Società
• Marco Rizzi - -Senior Researcher Mondo Internazionale G.E.O. Cultura & Società
• Serena Tripodi- Junior Researcher Mondo Internazionale G.E.O. Cultura & Società

Abstract:

Child marriage, a deeply entrenched tradition in many impoverished countries, continues to perpetuate cycles of poverty, gender-based violence, and social inequality. This article explores the multifaceted aspects of child marriage, examining its global prevalence and the profound consequences it inflicts upon young girls and society at large. Child brides face immediate physical and emotional tolls, including violence, early pregnancies, and disrupted education. The practice is often driven by economic motivations, cultural norms, and weak legal regulations, exacerbating its persistence. A coordinated, multidimensional approach is essential to protect children's human rights and empower young girls to reach their full potential without being forced into early or forced marriages.

1. Introduction

In many impoverished countries, early marriages are a prevalent issue that has profound consequences. The practice often involves young girls who are forced into unions with older men, perpetuating cycles of poverty, gender-based violence, and inequality that affect countless individuals. The consequences of such marriages are devastating, including limited access to education, restricted economic opportunities, increased risk of domestic violence, and reproductive health issues, including early pregnancies, childbirth complications, and maternal mortality. Despite the significant challenges, there have been continuous efforts at both national and international levels to address this deeply entrenched issue. Governments, non-governmental organisations, and civil society groups have been working tirelessly to raise awareness, change attitudes, and implement policies that protect the rights of young girls and prevent the harmful effects of early marriages.It is essential to continue the efforts to address this issue, protect the rights of young girls, and promote gender equality to create a more just and equitable society.

2. Definition and Characteristics of Child Marriages: age of child brides and grooms, cultural, religious and socioeconomic factors, geographical spread and global context

Child marriage, a deeply rooted tradition in many African and Eastern countries, stands in stark violation of international law by jeopardizing the fundamental human rights of children. Across the globe, countless young girls are annually coerced into unions with significantly older men, often compelled by economic motivations and entrenched cultural norms. This paragraph explores the multifaceted aspects of child marriage, examining the acute consequences it inflicts on the lives of these child brides and the broader implications for gender equality.

Once these young girls are married off, they are required to give up their pursuit of education, assuming roles as homemakers and mothers at a tender age. This transition into early motherhood exposes them to numerous health risks, endangering both themselves and their babies. Tragically, many children do not survive their first year of life, while those who do often endure the consequences of malnutrition, slow psycho-physical development, and a higher susceptibility to diseases.

Sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, pose another harsh threat to child brides, with some contracting these illnesses as early as the age of ten. The absence of contraceptive use and the possibility that the groom may have been exposed to disease before marriage contribute to this alarming trend. Consequently, child brides find themselves trapped in a dark reality, characterized by exploitation, abuse, and violence, robbing them of their innocence and freedom. The institution of child marriage unequivocally underscores the striking gender disparities that persist from childhood onwards.

Child marriage is driven by a multitude of factors, although specific motivations may vary from one country to another. However, some common themes emerge, notably the pervasive shadow of poverty. In many instances, families opt for child marriage as a means of economic survival. By marrying off their daughters, families reduce their financial burden, while simultaneously seeking to secure a more stable life for their child. In regions where dowries must be paid to the groom's family, younger brides with limited education often command lower dowries. Conversely, when the groom provides a dowry, it becomes a critical resource, serving to settle debts, resolve disputes, and forge economic, political, or social alliances.

Tradition also exerts considerable influence, with early marriages viewed as a rite of passage into womanhood. This practice often continues through generations, as families perpetuate the custom due to societal expectations and familial norms. Furthermore, weak legal regulations or non-existent laws contribute to the proliferation of child marriage. These legal loopholes leave room for the exploitation of vulnerable young girls, as inadequate protection and oversight allow this practice to persist.

The global scope of child marriage extends beyond borders, with alarming statistics highlighting its prevalence in different regions. According to UNICEF data, South Asia, particularly in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, stands as the region with the highest number of child brides, accounting for 285 million cases or 44% of the global total. Sub-Saharan Africa follows closely behind, with 115 million early marriages, representing roughly 18% of the total. In some nations within the region, such as Mozambique, Central African Republic, Niger, and South Sudan, more than 40% of girls aged 15-19 are married. In Chad, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Madagascar, the percentage stands at 30-40%. These figures underscore the urgency and the necessity of global efforts to eradicate this grave violation of children's rights.

3. Impacts of Early Marriages

Early and forced marriage is a deeply troubling issue that has cast a dark shadow over the lives of countless young girls across the globe. Its profound repercussions touch upon various aspects of a girl's life. The consequences are not only limited to the individual but have a broader societal impact as well.

One of the most immediate outcomes of early marriage is the physical toll it exacts on young girls. Once married, many are subjected to violence, and forced sexual relations, violations of their rights that carry a heavy emotional burden. The risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases is alarmingly high in these situations. What's more, early marriages frequently result in early pregnancies, and this, in turn, increases the risk of complications, both for the young mother and her baby (Shaud &Asad, 2020).

Furthermore, early marriage profoundly disrupts young girls' education, swiftly removing them from the schooling system, pushing them into domestic roles, and oppressing their personal development. This abrupt end to their education perpetuates a damaging cycle of non-education and poverty, hindering personal growth and their potential to make meaningful community contributions. Young married girls encounter multiple obstacles to education, including domestic duties, societal stigma, forced exclusion from schools, and restrictive gender norms that confine them to their homes. Child marriage often leads to early pregnancies, forcing girls out of school due to national laws, insufficient support for re-enrollment, and social stigma. Educational opportunities for girls are limited in contexts where child marriage is more prevalent, further exacerbating its repercussions. The younger a girl marries, the graver the consequences, and once married, the likelihood of her returning to or remaining in school is extremely low (DelPrato et al. 2017; Mughal & Awan, 2020; Walker, 2012).

The World Bank's findings emphasize the pivotal role of education, especially at the secondary level, with every additional year reducing the risk of early marriage. Secondary education offers stronger protection compared to primary education. Even girls who attend primary school face a similar risk of child marriage as those with no education. Marginalized girls, particularly from impoverished backgrounds, rural areas, and marginalized groups, often struggle to reach secondary education due to barriers like school fees, long commutes, and entrance exams. The consequences of girls' education extend across generations, as educating one generation delays the age at which future generations marry. While educational mobility has improved, girls' years of schooling still heavily depend on their parents, especially their mothers. Educated women tend to invest more in their children's health and education, contributing to better nutrition, higher vaccination rates, greater enrollment, and improved academic performance among their offspring (Parsons & McCleary-Sills, 2014; Mutyaba, 2011).

Child marriage and girls' lack of education are strongly linked to poverty. Economic pressures and societal norms devaluing girls' education make them more likely to drop out of school to fulfill domestic roles or work. Limited resources in many countries result in insufficient funds for accessible, quality, and affordable education systems. Consequently, families must bear the burden of direct expenses, such as secondary school fees and indirect costs like uniforms, books, exams, and transportation. These financial pressures disproportionately affect girls, who are more likely than boys to leave school when financial resources run low, and children living in impoverished rural areas face additional challenges, including a lack of schools and inadequate transportation (Otoo-Oyortey & Pobi, 2003; Bayisenge, 2010).

Moreover, the psychological consequences of forced marriage are no less devastating. Victims of early marriage often endure not only the trauma of being married against their will but also the enduring scars left by rape, lack of education, and the theft of their youth. These experiences can inflict profound harm on their mental health, often leading to depression and, in the worst cases, even suicide attempts. The emotional trauma runs deep, affecting their overall well-being and potential for a fulfilling life (Ahmed et al. 2013; Wondie et al. 2011).

Finally, early and forced marriages also have profound consequences for society at large. These marriages perpetuate patriarchal systems and hinder economic development. Young girls married off at an early age are often unable to work, resulting in a significant loss of potential earnings. The importance of women's education in their emancipation and the protection of their rights cannot be overstated as early marriage poses a formidable obstacle to achieving gender equality and social progress.

4. Prevention, Elimination Efforts and Contemporary Challenges

At the international and European level, several measures have been introduced to counter early and forced marriages. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, while not directly addressing this practice, recognises the right to marriage and the freedom to enter into such a union. A key step in this direction is the Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages of 1962. This agreement not only prohibits forced marriages, but also mandates that States Parties establish a minimum age for marriage, which must be no less than 15 years. Moreover, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) plays a key role in the protection of children's rights. Articles 19, 34 and 36 of the CRC directly address the issue of child marriages, emphasising the obligation of States to protect children from this harmful practice and from any form of exploitation that may compromise their well-being. Many countries have ratified the CRC, legally binding themselves to take measures to prevent and penalise child marriages. In addition, two important documents have been issued: the UN General Assembly Resolution of 18 December 2014, which urges states to ensure that marriages are only performed with the informed, free and full consent of both parties, and the UN Human Rights Council Resolution of 2 July 2015, which bolsters efforts to prevent and eliminate early and forced marriages, deeming gross violations of human rights that limit the freedom of women and girls and expose them to violence.

At the national level, many countries have established specific laws to combat child marriage. However, it is crucial to emphasise that the effectiveness of these laws depends on their strict enforcement and the support provided by local institutions, social services and civil society organisations. Moreover, cultural change and education are often necessary to eliminate deep-rooted traditions that foster early marriages. Legislative challenges also include regional and cultural disparities within a country. In some rural regions, for instance, laws may be disregarded or go unenforced due to entrenched cultural traditions that endorse early marriage (Parlamento Europeo, 2017).

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play a crucial role in the fight against child marriage. Operating directly in the field, these NGOs raise awareness within local communities about the harm of child marriage and provide support to girls at risk. Their activities include legal counselling, facilitating access to education and implementing skills development programmes to improve the opportunities of young girls. Besides providing direct assistance, NGOs lobby governments to adopt stricter laws and implement policies aimed at preventing child marriage. They often collaborate with local institutions to ensure the effective implementation of existing laws and monitor progress. Furthermore, NGOs play a key role in data collection and research on child marriage, contributing to the identification of trends, at-risk geographical areas and affected communities, thereby enabling a targeted response.

Global institutions such as UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) and UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) are committed to combating child marriage worldwide, providing funding, technical resources and assistance to developing countries to tackle this problem. UNICEF focuses on raising awareness and educating communities about the repercussions of child marriage through information campaigns and works with governments and NGOs to promote access to education and reproductive health services. UNFPA, on the other hand, emphasises sexual and reproductive health issues by providing counselling and support services to girls involved in early marriage. Furthermore, they promote international cooperation through conferences and global meetings where countries share experiences and best practices in the fight against child marriage.

Despite global efforts, the phenomenon of child marriage continues to be widespread in many parts of the world. A recent obstacle is the COVID-19 pandemic (Save the children, 2020), which has increased the risk of early marriage in some areas due to school closures, rising unemployment and economic hardship. The pandemic has highlighted the need to address socio-economic vulnerabilities that can lead to child marriages. In conclusion, the prevention and elimination of child marriage requires a multidimensional and globally coordinated approach. International and national laws provide the legal basis for this fight, while NGOs play a crucial role in direct assistance and community education. Global institutions contribute resources and technical support and promote international cooperation. However, cultural and traditional challenges require ongoing efforts to change perceptions and protect children's rights worldwide.

5. Conclusions

To conclude, the issue of early marriage is a serious problem that young girls face, and its consequences demand our attention and action. As previously mentioned, this practice involves young girls being married off to older men, which perpetuates cycles of poverty, gender-based violence, and social inequality. Consequently, these girls have limited access to education, are at risk of health problems and abuse, and often feel socially isolated, leading to feelings of hopelessness. To combat this problem, a multidimensional and globally coordinated approach is essential to prevent and eliminate child marriage, including legal reforms, awareness campaigns, improved access to education, and initiatives promoting economic empowerment, both nationally and internationally. It is imperative that we work together to eliminate this practice and protect children’s human rights, giving every girl the opportunity to reach her full potential without being forced into an early or forced marriage.

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