Girl Child Marriage: A Persistent Global Women’s Health and Human Rights Violation

Abstract

Child marriage, or the marriage of an individual under age 18, affects approximately 900 million individuals every year, of which 720 million are girls. The disproportionate burden for girls worldwide, which translates into a variety of negative, intergenerational health and social effects for girls and their children, indicates the gendered nature of this health and human rights issue. Declines in the practice of child marriage under age 15 have been seen in the last 30 years, but this change has been inadequate, evidenced by the continued high prevalence of child marriage under age 18 in South East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Girls are married under age for a variety of reasons, including the financial need of the girls’ families, cultural desires to preserve sexual purity for marriage, religious beliefs, and external conflict. Additionally, lack of access to education, rural residence, unequal treatment of girls, and conditions of poverty are associated with the practice of child marriage. Strategies to address this global health concern must be multi-sectorial in nature, utilizing existing laws and government structures, evidence-based prevention programs, and evidence-based intervention programs for already married girls.