What is the current situation?Throughout the developing world, millions of girls are married off to virtual strangers while they are still just children.
Some are as young as six or seven years old when they are married. The girls themselves rarely have any say in the matter. Many do not even know or fully understand what is planned for them until they arrive at their husband’s home.
In families with limited resources, child marriage is often considered a way to provide for a daughter’s future. Poor families have few resources to support more healthy alternatives for girls, while economic gains through marrying off a daughter may also motivate poor parents to choose this path.
What is needed?
Promoting educational and economic opportunities for girls can reduce child marriage. Educating adolescent girls has been critical in increasing the age of marriage countries such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand. Working with parents and community leaders to increase these opportunities has delayed marriage for girls in parts of Kenya and Zimbabwe. Child marriage can be ended, but only with a more concerted effort to ensure the public, in all countries, are aware of the terrible toll child marriage takes on girls and their future children.
Promoting educational and economic opportunities for girls can reduce child marriage. Educating adolescent girls has been critical in increasing the age of marriage countries such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand. Working with parents and community leaders to increase these opportunities has delayed marriage for girls in parts of Kenya and Zimbabwe. Child marriage can be ended, but only with a more concerted effort to ensure the public, in all countries, are aware of the terrible toll child marriage takes on girls and their future children.
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