Know the Facts

research shows child marriage is…

Common

More than 51 million girls younger than 18 are already married. (ICRW, 2003) It’s estimated that in the next decade, 100 million more girls—or roughly 25,000 girls a day—will marry before they turn 18. (Population Council, 2003)

Widespread

Child marriage exists everywhere. But in some countries, the majority of girls marry before 18. These include: 82% in Niger | 75% in Bangladesh | 63% in Mali | 63% in Nepal | 57% in Ethiopia | 57% in India | 50% in Uganda. (DHS, 1996-2001)

In Nepal, 7% of females are married before the age of 10 and 40% by age 15. (UNICEF, 2001)

In Amhara, Ethiopia, 50% of girls are married before age 15. (Judith Bruce, 2003)

A Major Health Concern

More girls in developing countries die from hemorrhage, obstructed labor, obstetric fistula,* and other pregnancy- and childbirth-related problems than from any other single cause of death.

• Girls 10-14 are five times more likely to die of these causes than women 20 to 24.
• Girls 15 to 19 are twice as likely to die. (United Nations, 1991)

In sub-Saharan Africa, infants born to mothers younger than 20 are 1.5 times more likely to die than babies born to mothers 20-29. (United Nations, 1998)

*Obstetric fistula—rupturing of the vagina and rectum causing persistent leakage of feces and urine—is a health risk
commonly associated with child marriage because of the mother's physical immaturity at the time of childbirth.

Often Abusive

Child brides are frequently pulled from school and married to older men.

Child brides typically are little more than servants in their in-laws’ homes. They are under tremendous pressure to prove their fertility in the first year of marriage.

And because child brides have no control over resources or the ability to make decisions on their own behalf, others typically decide if or when they get:

a new dress | a chance to visit with friends | an education |
a job | pregnant | pre-natal care

A Factor in the Spread of HIV & AIDS

Marriage does not guarantee protection against HIV transmission, particularly for girls and young women, who often marry older, sexually experienced partners.

Research in Kenya and Zambia indicates that married girls are more likely to be HIV-positive than their sexually active unmarried counterparts. (University of Chicago, 2003)

A Barrier to Education

Married girls are seldom found in school, limiting their economic and social opportunities. Sometimes, parents cut a girl’s education short to marry her off to protect her from the possibility of sexual activity outside of wedlock. When a girl who is in school becomes betrothed, she almost certainly drops out once she weds. And once married, there is virtually no support for her to continue her schooling. (ICRW, 2001)

Linked to Domestic Violence

Child brides are often more susceptible to domestic violence. (USAID Gender Assessment, 2003-2005)

In Egypt, data indicates that 29% of married adolescents were beaten by their spouses—or their spouses and others. Of these, 41% were beaten when they were pregnant. (Population Council, 2000)

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