Prevent Child Marriage Research Articles

Analisis Stakeholder dalam Strategi Pencegahan Perkawinan Anak di Indonesia

Elimination of child marriage is one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is targeted to be realized in 2030. To realize this goal, the Government of Indonesia has integrated the reduction of child marriage rates into the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). The child marriage rate is targeted to decrease from 11.2% in 2018 to 8.74% in 2024. In the last 10 years the number of marriages has decreased slowly and fluctuated. Even the target of reducing the number of child marriages seems to be experiencing obstacles because in 2020 the Covid 19 pandemic has contributed to a significant increase in the number of child marriages. This reality indicates that efforts to reduce the number of child marriages require a holistic and integrative effort that involves various stakeholders both in state institutions, the business world, and civil society. Considering the important role of multi-stakeholder synergy in preventing child marriage, this research aims to conduct stakeholder analysis to identify key stakeholders, primary and secondary stakeholders, their interests and influence on the success of the strategy to prevent child marriage.

Drivers of Stunting Reduction in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: A Case Study.

Chronic malnutrition in children is a severe global health concern. In Yogyakarta, the number of children who are too short for their age has dropped dramatically over the past few decades. To perform an analysis of trends, policies, and programs; and an assessment of government, community, household, and individual drivers of the stunting reduction in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Using a mixed-methods approach, there were three types of research: (1) analysis of quantitative data, (2) evaluation of stunting policy, and (3) focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to collect qualitative data. The prevalence of stunting has decreased from year to year. Mean height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) improved by 0.22 SDs from 2013 to 2021. Male and female toddlers aged <20 months have relatively the same body length as the WHO median, but it is lower for children >20 months old. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to an increase in stunting-concurrent wasting. Nutrition-specific and -sensitive interventions have been carried out with coverage that continues to increase from year to year, although in 2020, or at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the coverage of specific interventions decreased. The government has committed to tackling stunting by implementing the five pillars of stunting prevention and the eight convergent stunting actions. As the drivers of stunting reduction, national and community stakeholders and mothers, at the village level, cited a combination of poverty reduction, years of formal education, prevention of early marriage, access to food, enhanced knowledge and perception, and increased access to sanitation and hygiene. Nutrition-specific and -sensitive sector improvements have been crucial for decreasing stunting in Yogyakarta, particularly in the areas of poverty reduction, food access, preventing child marriage, sanitation, education, and increasing knowledge and perception.

The Socialization Of Perma Number 5 Of 2019 Concerning Guidelines To Address Applications For Marriage Dispensation As An Effort To Prevent Child Marriage In Boyolali

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;The purpose of the stipulation of Supreme Court Regulation Number 5 of 2019 concerning Guidelines for Adjudicating Applications for Marriage Dispensation is to overcome problems regarding applications for marriage dispensations in the Religious Courts. The reality that is happening in society is actually increasing. Based on this, this activity aims to determine the extent of public understanding about the impoartance of the marriage age limit, and to prevent child marriage in Boyolali through socialization of Supreme Court Regulation Number 5 concerning Guidelines for Adjudicating Applications for Marriage Dispensation. The analytical methodology used in this study is juridical-sociological with complementary data which is the distribution of information through interviews with informants through several question indicators described in the discussion. The results of this study indicate that people do not fully understand the importance of the age limit for marriage. So that the socialization of Supreme Court Regulation Number 5 of 2019 concerning Guidelines for Adjudicating Applications for Marriage Dispensation is necessary to suppress child marriage rates for Boyolali.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

Perception, Evaluation, and Factors Influencing Educational Activities to Prevent Child and Consanguineous Marriage of Ethnic Minority Students in Secondary School

Child and consanguineous marriages among students from ethnic minorities have consequences and risks for schools, families, and society. This study's primary purpose is to research the perception, appraisal, and factors influencing educational initiatives to avoid child and consanguineous marriage among secondary school students from ethnic minority groups. This study surveyed 106 administrators, teachers, and students from secondary schools in Dien Bien province, Vietnam, using three questionnaires designed to measure perception, evaluation, and factors influencing educational activities to prevent child marriage and consanguineous marriage. To examine data, a descriptive analysis was performed. The results indicate that the administrators, teachers, and students of secondary schools for ethnic minority affairs have an average understanding of the role of educational activities in preventing child marriage and consanguineous marriage. In secondary schools for ethnic minority affairs, administrators, teachers, and students lack a strong understanding of the role of educational activities in preventing child marriage and consanguineous marriage; many students and teachers are indifferent to programs for preventing child and consanguineous marriage. This study contributes to the overall discourse of administrators at secondary schools for ethnic minority issues applying a variety of educational materials, forms, and strategies to prevent child marriage and consanguineous marriage among students.

Understanding the associations between maternal high-risk fertility behaviour and child nutrition levels in India: evidence from the National Family Health Survey 2015–2016

Anthropometric markers are the most important aspect of a child’s health assessment. Using large-scale nationally representative data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), 2015–2016, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between children born to women with high-risk fertility behaviours and children’s health outcomes. The sample consisted of 2,55,726 children of currently married women aged 15–49 years in India. The key explanatory variable, high-risk fertility behaviour was defined by women’s age at birth (below 18 or above 34 years), birth interval (less than 24 months), and higher birth orders (four and above). The key outcome variables for assessing child health outcomes were stunting, wasting, and underweight in children aged 0–59 months. We used descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square test and logistic regression models to analyse the objectives. Approximately 33% of children were born with any single high-risk condition in the last 5 years in India. The bivariate analysis showed that all three components of child health, stunting, wasting, and underweight, were higher among children born to women with high-risk fertility behaviour. The findings from the multivariable analysis suggest that children born with a high risk fertility behaviour were suffering from stunting (AOR = 1.30; 95% CI 1.27–1.33) and underweight (AOR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.20–1.27). In addition, children born to women of multiple high-risk categories had higher odds of stunting (AOR = 1.53; 95% CI 1.46–1.59) and underweight (AOR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.32–1.44) as compared to children born to women with no risk. Our findings highlight an urgent need for effective legislation to prevent child marriage that would be helpful in increasing the maternal age at birth. The government should also focus on the interventions in health education and improvement of reproductive healthcare to promote optimal birth spacing.

Child Marriage Acceptability Index (CMAI) as anessential indicator: an investigation in South and Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

BackgroundChild marriage remains an important social issue in Indonesia. Child marriages were reported from 14.67% in 2008 to 10.82% in 2019. However, 22 out of 34 provinces in Indonesia still had high child marriage rates above the national average in 2019. This study aims to assess child marriage acceptability in the two locations in Indonesia by gender inequality, financial security, education rates, legal frameworks, dowry, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).MethodsThis study used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional study design. A total of 1000 respondents consisting of 500 households in Bone District, South Sulawesi and 500 households in Palu, Sigi, and Donggala District in Central Sulawesi participated in the study. Data analyses were conducted based on the Child Marriage Acceptability Index (CMAI) using the bivariate correlation, ANOVA (analysis of variance), and logistic regression.ResultsThis study found several significant factors that contributed to child marriage acceptance in Central and South Sulawesi: household financial security (p = 0.016), dowry (p < 0.001) and legal frameworks (p = 0.017) based on ANOVA analysis. After conducting a bivariate correlation, dowry (p < 0.001) and sexual and gender-based violence (p < 0.001) remain significant factors. Dowry (p < 0.001), with expected B = 0.122, and sexual and gender-based violence (p < 0.001, with expected B = 0.064) remains significant after the linear regression analysis.ConclusionsDowry practice and sexual and gender-based violence were the most significant factors contributing to child marriage acceptance in Central and South Sulawesi. There is a need to conduct interventions to prevent child marriage, including providing sexual and reproductive health education.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41256-022-00252-4.

In Bharathi's Dream Vision, Women's Liberation and Soil Liberation

An unparalleled poet of the 20th century, Bharathi was not only a progressive thinker but also a foreteller of future events. The former President of India, Abdul Kalam, said about dreams, "Dream! That dream is not the dream you see in your sleep. It's an ideal dream that keeps you awake." It is no exaggeration to say that Bharti dreamt of such an ideal many years before Kalam. Yes, India will be liberated anyway; we shall have breathed and swayed the air of liberation! Bharathi, who already knew that we have achieved blissful freedom by singing and dancing, it was Bharathi who sang the liberation anthem even before freedom. The most essential of his dreams are women's emancipation, unequal society, widow marriage, no child marriage, Tamil development, etc. Bharthi, who is very concerned about the welfare of women, says that women should get an education on par with men. Educating a girl only uplifts her. It will also uplift the community in which she belongs. Through that, our country becomes a superpower. Only then will the Indian flag fly in the world. Bharthi eagerly waits the day he will see Even though Bharthi's life had disappeared from this earth, he left the seeds of his dream deeply imprinted in our hearts. They started sprouting today. In today's time, we are travelling towards a higher level where men and women are equal. Many love marriages are taking place to bridge the caste differences. Widow Remarriages are encouraged. The government has passed several laws to prevent child marriage. Today's youth are working tirelessly to transform India into a superpower. It is certain that Bharathi's dream will soon come true through this.

The Legal Assistance of Eligible Age for Marriage in Law Number 16 of 2019 as an Effort to Prevent Child Marriage

Marriage must be in accordance with the provisions in force in the marriage law, In order to obtain legal protection. As the regulations regarding the limit marriageable age either men or women with a minimum of 19 years old, as stated in Law No. 16 of 2016. This rule was substituted for the rules that contained in Law Number 1 of 1974, which states that age minimum marry was 16 years. This article provided understanding to the community about the Eligible Age to prevent child marriage through Legal Assistance. The researchers used Community Based Research (CBR). The sample was 50 participants, especially for under 18 years old. for This assistance was carried out in the form of training with resource persons from legal experts. The result showed that the participants was more comprehensive about the latest regulation of Law Number 16 Number 2019 that stated the minimum for married women was 19 years old. The participants was quite successful, cause increased understanding of community about the importance of prevention of early marriage.&#x0D; Keywords: Legal Assistance Marriage, Legal Children Marriage, Prevent Child Marriage

Reform on The Marriage Age Limit by Jakarta Women's Health Organizations in Maqāṣid al-Syarī‘ah Perspective

This study aimed to determine the factors of child marriage and the age limit for marriage in the legislation and to analyze the arguments of Yayasan Kesehatan Perempuan in opposing and preventing child marriage cases through a judicial review of the Marriage Law at the Constitutional Court in terms of maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah. The research method used in this research is normative legal research, which aims to examine legal principles and written legal sources. The primary data source was obtained from the arguments of Women's Health organizations in the trial process at the Constitutional Court Number 30-74/PUU-XII/2014. Data which was analyzed in the study was collected through observation and interviews. The results of this study proved that the factors causing child marriage in Indonesia are mostly due to poverty, low level of education, conflict in the household, community traditions and religious understanding such as efforts to avoid adultery as well as unfavored environmental factors. Prevention of child marriage carried out by the Women's Health Foundation is in accordance with the objectives of maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah which include religious maintenance, offspring maintenance, soul maintenance, mind maintenance and property maintenance.

Stolen childhood taking a toll at young adulthood: The higher risk of high blood pressure and high blood glucose comorbidity among child brides.

Despite notable progress being made in preventing child marriage, a significant proportion of women worldwide are still married before reaching adulthood. Though many aspects of child marriage have been widely studied, little is known on the later life health outcomes of child brides, let alone the critical need for healthcare during adulthood. This paper examines whether child brides at a young adult age bear a greater risk of high blood pressure (HBP) and high blood glucose (HBG) comorbidity than those who were married as adults. Using nationally representative data from India, we categorized married young adult (aged 20-34 years) women in four categories: neither HBP nor HBG, HBP only, HBG only, and both HBP and HBG. We estimated multinomial logistic regressions to obtain unadjusted and adjusted relative risk ratios in favor of these mutually exclusive outcomes for the child marriage indicator. Around 0.5% of the women in our sample had high blood pressure and high blood glucose comorbidity. While the prevalence of comorbidity was 0.4% among women who were married as adults, comorbidity was 40% higher (p < 0.000) among women who were married as children. The relative risk of the comorbidity among child brides was 1.4 (95%CI: 1.2-1.7) times that of their peers who were not married as children. The findings, thus, suggest that child brides at young adult age are at greater risk of having high blood pressure and high blood glucose comorbidity. Concerted public health efforts, therefore, are necessary to improve their long-term health and wellbeing.

Praktik Permohonan Dispensasi Kawin di Pengadilan (Studi Peraturan Mahkamah Agung Nomor 5 Tahun 2019)

The age of marriage for men and women is 19 years. If there is an age deviation, the marriage can only be carried out after obtaining a marriage dispensation from the court. There are many applications for dispensation from marriage in Indonesia, each year there is a significant increase. The reason that is often put forward is that the relationship between the prospective bride and groom is very close, parents are afraid that they will fall into acts that are contrary to religion. The number of cases is high and to anticipate disparities in the handling of cases, as well as the process of adjudicating has not been regulated in a clear and detailed manner, so that the administration of justice runs smoothly, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court stipulates Supreme Court Regulation Number 5 of 2019 concerning Guidelines for Adjudicating Applications for Marriage Dispensation. In this regulation, there are new provisions that regulate the procedure for examining cases that are different from the previous one. It is important to know about child marriage through the mechanism for applying for a marriage dispensation, it is interesting to discuss how the practice of applying for a marriage dispensation is carried out in court. The study method used was a normative legal research method, with a statutory approach, and PMA primary legal materials Number 5 of 2019. The application for a marriage dispensation was based on urgent reasons, accompanied by supporting evidence and listening to all interested parties. The examining judge is a single judge, with the classification having a decision letter as a juvenile judge or other provisions. In the examination, judges and substitute clerks may not use trial attributes, use language and methods that are easy for children to understand and understand. The legal considerations that must be contained in the determination are that they have given advice and heard the statements of interested parties, otherwise the determination will be null and void. The decision was taken after careful and comprehensive consideration, still based on legal facts, and involving the child for whom dispensation was requested, based on the spirit of preventing child marriage. Everything is done in order to realize a fair determination for children and all interested parties.

Prevent Child Marriage by Improving Education in West Nusa Tenggara Through Sister Province Relations with Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland

This study aims to determine the local government's efforts to prevent child marriage by establishing foreign relations with other countries in education, in this case, the Province of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland. This foreign relationship is carried out by NTB as an effort to increase human resources through education with a country with very good quality education, namely Poland. This research method is descriptive-qualitative with the concept of sister province and the concept of Para diplomacy, which provides space for local governments to conduct foreign relations with other countries. The technique of collecting data by conducting a literature study is by examining various secondary sources in the form of books, articles, official news, and online news that are relevant to this research. The data analysis technique is through the stages of data collection, data reduction, data presentation, then drawing conclusions. The results of this study indicate that the existence of foreign relations in the context of sister provinces carried out by the Provinces of NTB, Indonesia, and Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland was initiated by the leaders of each province which then paved the way for educational cooperation between institutions in the two provinces. So that through this educational collaboration, the NTB Provincial Government can encourage the improvement of the quality of education which is expected to strengthen human development and prevent child marriage.

Child marriage and risky health behaviors: an analysis of tobacco use among early adult and early middle-aged women in India

BackgroundThough the harmful impacts of child marriage have been evaluated across several domains, evidence on the relationship between child marriage and health behaviors over the life course is limited. In this paper, we examined whether getting married as a child is associated with one of the most common risky health behaviors, tobacco use, in adulthood.MethodsUsing nationally representative data from India, we compared the odds in favor of tobacco use among early adult (age 22–34) and early middle-aged (age 35–44) women who were married before age 18 with that of those who were married as youths (age 18–21). We estimated univariate and multivariable logistic regressions to obtain odds ratios in favor of any tobacco-use and relative risk ratios in favor of mutually exclusive types of tobacco use (smoking-only, smokeless-only, and dual-use). We also explored the intensive margin of the relationship by assessing if the odds of tobacco use in adulthood were affected by how early (13 or less, 14–15, or 16–17) a child bride was married.ResultsWe find that the adjusted odds of tobacco use for those who were married as a child were 1.3 and 1.2 times that of those who were married as a youth among early adult and early middle-aged women, respectively. The younger was the child bride when married, the higher were the odds of tobacco use as an adult. The relative risks of different types of tobacco use were also higher for child brides than their peers.ConclusionsThese results are the first evidence of the association between child marriage and a major risky health behavior, tobacco use, over the life course. These findings will inform policies to strengthen child marriage prevention efforts and targeted tobacco control initiatives in the low-and-middle income countries.

The Role of Religious Organizations in Child Marriage Prevention and Handling during Pandemic

In Indonesia, religious leaders are in a strategic position. Their existence can affect people's lives in various aspects, not least in the context of marriage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of child marriages in Central Java rose sharply. Based on the background above, the questions are how religious leaders view this problem and what the roles to be performed in the context of prevention and treatment. This type of research is field research with a qualitative approach. The data collection technique is done by interview and documentation. The informants are administrators of two major religious organizations in Indonesia, namely NU and Muhammadiyah. The results showed that; First, the existence of religious organizations did not have a significant role in preventing and handling child marriage cases in Central Java. Secondly, the existence of religious organizations has no relevance to the high and low rate of child marriage in Central Java. Third, the existence of religious leaders is still seen as having authority in the community to support the success of the prevention and handling of child marriage programs

Analysis of Child Marriage Prevention in Sidoarjo Regency

Writer 's it aims to analyze and describe the strategies an obstacle Strategies Prevention of Marriage Children in the District of Sidoarjo . Writer 's is based on a fact that child marriages still occur in age or mentality of the child's thought patterns that are caused due to the circumstances pregnant at the outside of marriage on children that are into a problem which should be in preventing the marriage of children . Methods The author 's is using descriptive qualitative , techniques of collecting the data is done with interviews in depth , observation and study of literature that is relevant . The technique of determining the informants used purposive sampling. The informant in the Writer 's this is the Head of the Protection of Women's Rights and Protection , Head of Fulfillment Rights of the Child , Head of Security Family &amp; Community Engagement , Head of Processing Data Population at the Department P3AKB, Ket ua Children's Forum and Actors Marriage Children in the District of Sidoarjo . Mechanical analysis of the author 's of this is the type of analysis of qualitative Referring to the theory of Miles and Huberman. The author 's results show that , prevention of child marriage is successful , as evidenced by the programs that run on the prevention of child marriage so that the number of child marriages in Sidoarjo can be reduced, in the absence of a culture of "marrying children as soon as possible so they don't become old virgins" This also supports the decline in the number of child marriages. K endala in the prevention of marriages child one of them is the lack of willingness of young people to think critically the mindset of young people should continue learning with the strategy of prevention marriage of children who applied P3AKB , associated with P ola think those parents who do not give priority to the ideals of children then from the Office of P3AKB should provide regular counseling to parents as one of the strategies of prevention marriage of children , so the mindset of parents are not primitive. Regarding the use of technology, parents must limit the use of cellphones, laptops, computers and so on

EVALUATION OF CHILDREN MARRIAGE PREVENTION POLICY IMPLEMENTATION IN DOMPU DISTRICT IN 2016-2021

Dompu Regency is one of the regencies in West Nusa Tenggara Province with the highest number of child marriage cases. There has been a decrease in the number of cases from year to year. This is a good implication of the implementation of local government policies. The study aims to describe and analyze the process and results of the implementation of the policy to prevent child marriage in Dompu Regency for the 2016-2021 period. The study use descriptive analytical method with a qualitative approach. Conducted at the Kantor Perlindungan Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Anak (DP3A) Kab. Dompu in May 2021. Data collection techniques used interview, observation, and documentation techniques. The data analysis technique used was qualitative consisting of data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions by applying inductive logic. The results showed (1) DP3A Dompu Regency implemented several policies to overcome the problem of child marriage. In the period 2016-2021, policies have been implemented to establish the Komisi Perlindungan Anak Desa (KPAD), the Simultaneous Movement Module Program, the creation of Adolescent Reproductive Health Education for each SMP/MTs and SMA/MA/SMK, and the selection of peer counselors. Some of these policies are the result of the formulation and agreement process and are implemented by the Dompu Regency DP3A together with local NGOs and NGOs. (2) The implementation of the policy to prevent child marriage is considered successful in preventing an increase in cases of child marriage; Dompu local government policies currently have an impact on public understanding of the risks of child marriage. (3) the policy becomes a program that only prioritizes sensation and mere formality, costs a lot of money, has incomplete impacts and targets, is faced with difficult regulatory conditions, so that some programs cannot be implemented optimally and have a more positive impact.

Using a Rapid Knowledge Translation Approach for Better Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Bangladesh, Burundi, Indonesia, and Jordan.

Translation of knowledge into policy and practice is important to prevent sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR)-related morbidity and mortality and ensure access to rights. Existing approaches to knowledge translation are often relatively rigid and implicitly assume linear processes, leading to time-consuming processes that are not tailored to countries' needs. SRHR knowledge platforms designed and implemented a collaborative rapid improvement model for knowledge translation (CRIM-KT) in Burundi, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Jordan. The approach consisted of learning sessions and action periods aimed at improving policies and practices addressing the prevention of child marriage and teenage pregnancies. To evaluate the approach, a participatory action learning process took place throughout the implementation (September 2017 and January 2019). An end evaluation was conducted using a desk review of project documentation, in-depth interviews, and a focus group discussion to document the process, outcomes, and lessons learned. In Indonesia, a local government policy was changed that aims to prevent child marriage by avoiding misinterpretation of a local cultural practice. In Jordan, the cabinet endorsed a national action plan to prevent child marriage and changes in practice took place. In Burundi, no tangible changes in policy and practice in SRHR were observed. In Bangladesh, practice changed by strengthening coordination for collaboration and exchange among stakeholders to prevent child marriage. In all countries, the approach considerably strengthened participants' knowledge translation capacities. The CRIM-KT led to improvements in policy and practice in a relatively short time frame and different contexts. This can be explained by the systematic, structured, and participatory approach, allowing for contextual adaptation and involvement of stakeholders, as well as the cross-learning on 2 levels (international and country collaboration teams). The principles of the CRIM-KT may be further developed and applied in other fields in global health to strengthen knowledge translation processes.

Mapping the Field of Child Marriage: Evidence, Gaps, and Future Directions From a Large-Scale Systematic Scoping Review, 2000–2019

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development explicitly calls for an end to child, early, and forced marriages, a harmful practice that has been experienced by 650 million girls and women globally. The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to halt progress toward this goal and highlights the need to assess research progress and link emerging knowledge with efforts to prevent and respond to child marriage. We conducted a systematic search of publications focused on child marriage covering four languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French), encompassing a 20-year period (1 January 2000–31 December 2019) and including peer-reviewed and gray literature across all major geographic regions of the world. Our review identified and analyzed 1,068 publications from an initial number of 4,081 abstracts screened, finding that studies on the prevalence, determinants, and consequences of child marriage represented a majority of the total publications. Including publications in Spanish and Portuguese yielded results from Latin America and the Caribbean, Mozambique, and Europe, and including publications in French yielded results from West Africa and the Maghreb, in addition to English language publications covering both these and other parts of the word. Our review of the evolution and distribution of research over time and space calls for a greater focus of research on interventions preventing child marriage and responding to the needs of individuals married as children, a multilinguistic approach to knowledge exchange, and for research to be conducted in neglected high-prevalence settings.

Intersecting Disadvantages for Married Adolescents: Life After Marriage Pre- and Post-COVID-19 in Contexts of Displacement

PurposeAlthough there is a growing evidence base on the drivers of child marriage, comparatively little is known about the experiences of married girls in refugee settings and how their development trajectories diverge from those of their nonmarried peers, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on cross-national panel data from Bangladesh and Jordan, this article explores diversity in child marriage experiences in contexts affected by forced displacement, highlighting how married girls’ well-being differs from that of their unmarried peers, and how COVID-19 has reinforced these differences. MethodsWe analyzed longitudinal survey data—collected pre- and post-COVID-19—from the Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence study with 293 ever-married and 1,102 never-married adolescent girls. Multivariate regression analysis assessed the well-being of married and unmarried girls across contexts and refugee status, both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. These quantitative data are complemented by in-depth qualitative data from adolescents (n = 112), and key informant interviews with service providers and community leaders (n = 62). ResultsOur findings highlight that married girls in contexts affected by displacement are disadvantaged in multiple ways, but that the patterning of disadvantage varies across contexts, and that marriage can also have protective effects in certain contexts. The COVID-19 pandemic has, however, served to exacerbate existing inequalities in all contexts. DiscussionAlthough child marriage prevention efforts remain critical, there is also an urgent need for programming that targets married girls in refugee and host communities to mitigate negative outcomes among this vulnerable group.

Gender Norms, Control Over Girls’ Sexuality, and Child Marriage: A Honduran Case Study

PurposeThis study explores links among marianismo, girls’ mobility and sexuality, and child marriage among adolescent girls in rural areas of Honduras. MethodsWe analyze quantitative and qualitative data collected in 2008–2016 for a longitudinal cohort study of rural Honduran adolescent girls. These data include interviews (n = 10 married before age 18) and surveys (n = 563; 155 married early). We also use qualitative data from focus groups in 2016 that included students, parents, teachers, and community members (n = 120). ResultsWe find that girls who scored higher on a scale of traditional gender norms were more likely to marry early. Furthermore, our qualitative findings indicate that girls experienced control over their mobility and their sexuality because of rigid gender norms prevalent in their communities. The control girls experience clashes with undergoing psychosocial changes that are associated with increased desire for autonomy and intimacy as well as increased awareness of their sexuality. In some cases, girls believed that marriage was better than staying in their restrictive households, and/or they viewed marriage as the only way to have a romantic relationship. DiscussionRigid gender norms that promote excessive regulation of girls’ behavior and sexuality influence girls’ decision-making processes to enter child marriage. Educational initiatives that challenge sexist gender norms and explain and normalize attraction and intimacy during adolescence should be a central component of child marriage prevention programming for adolescents, parents, and community members.