Too Young to be a mother
Ending child marriage by 2030 is a target embedded in the Sustainable Development Goals. How far have countries progressed towards this target? And how much remains to be achieved?
First, let’s take a look at the two serial killers in refugee settlements – Teenage Pregnancy and Forced Child Marriages.
Many young girls face huge challenges that change their lives and potentially destroy their futures forever. These challenges include becoming mothers when they are still children themselves or being forced to marry.
Forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy are urgent issues that deeply affect the well-being and development of young girls in many parts of the world. In today’s society, where gender equality and women’s rights are important global topics, addressing the root causes and consequences of these practices is crucial. This piece delves into the structural factors that lead to forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy within the humanitarian context, highlighting the challenges faced by vulnerable populations and the urgent need for action.
Faridah's Story
Faridah’s story paints a vivid picture of the struggles that many young girls endure when forced to marry. She lost her mother in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to conflict at a very young age and was left in the care of her uncle. Tragedy struck when Faridah was just 13 years old. Her uncle made a decision to marry Faridah off to a 45-year-old man, a stranger to her, in exchange for a dowry that would ease his financial troubles. Faridah’s hopes for a better future were shattered. The burden of forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy weighed heavily on her, robbing her of her childhood and dreams.
Faridah’s experience is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address this harmful practice and protect the rights of young girls in marginalized communities.
Forced child marriage is a grave violation that affects millions of girls around the world, often leading to teenage pregnancy and numerous challenges. Young girls like Faridah are robbed of their childhood, education, and autonomy when they are forced into marriage at a young age. The consequences of such practices are far-reaching and devastating, perpetuating cycles of poverty, illiteracy, and gender inequality.
Teenage pregnancy resulting from forced child marriage poses significant health risks for young girls, including complications during pregnancy and childbirth, as their bodies are not fully developed to bear children. Moreover, these girls are often denied access to reproductive health services and information, further worsening their vulnerability.
Girls who are forced into marriage at a young age are often deprived of their autonomy, education, and opportunities for personal growth. They face increased risks of domestic violence, early pregnancy, and limited access to healthcare services. Forced child marriage also hinders efforts to achieve gender equality and sustainable development, as it perpetuates harmful gender norms and practices.
Young mothers face increased risks of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, including higher rates of maternal mortality and fistula. Teenage mothers are also more likely to drop out of school, limiting their educational and economic opportunities. Children born to teenage mothers are at a higher risk of health and developmental issues, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
Global and Local Data
- According to UNICEF, about 21 million girls are married before the age of 18 each year
- In high fertility sub-Saharan African countries, the prevalence of teenage pregnancy is 24.88% (95% CI: 24.42% - 25.35%). Burundi has the lowest rate at 8.29%, while Niger has the highest at 40.4%.
- Globally in 2022, 13 million children are born to women under age 20 each year, with over 90% of these births occurring in developing countries.
- In 2016, there were an estimated 15.4 million people in forced marriages globally. Of these victims, 88% were women and girls.
- Nearly one-third (32%) of young women in Eastern and Southern Africa were married before age 18.
The Far-Reaching Consequences of Forced Child Marriage
Many young girls suffer from early pregnancy complications, including
- Malnutrition and anemia, due to their young age and lack of access to proper healthcare.
- Their bodies are not ready for childbirth, leading to difficult labor that endangers both their lives and the lives of their babies.
- Profound trauma and distress
- The loss of freedom and autonomy
- Isolation from friends and family
- Inability to continue their education or pursue their dreams.
- Their mental health deteriorates as they struggle to cope with the demands and expectations placed on them as child brides.
- Stigma and discrimination within their communities, where child marriage is seen as a norm rather than a violation of human rights.
- They are ostracized and marginalized, robbed of the opportunity to participate fully in society and contribute to community development. Financial disenfranchisement and over dependence on their husbands, who do not prioritize their well-being or empowerment.
- They lack the skills and resources to support themselves and their children, trapping them in a cycle of poverty, vulnerability, and gender-based violence.
The lived experiences of refugee girls who have faced forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy, exemplifies and illustrates the physical, emotional, social, and economic toll it takes on young girls as well as depriving them of their right to education and self-determination
Let Us Take Action Against these practices
There is an urgent need for targeted interventions to address this complex issue and protect the rights and well-being of vulnerable populations. While progress has been made in recent years to reduce the prevalence of forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy globally, more needs to be done to ensure that girls in humanitarian settings are not left behind.
- Implement comprehensive strategies to prevent child marriage, including awareness-raising campaigns, community engagement, and legal reforms to strengthen protections for girls at risk of forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
- Ensure that girls in humanitarian settings have access to quality education, reproductive healthcare services, and psychosocial support to empower them to make informed choices about their futures.
- Provide girls with opportunities for economic empowerment, vocational training, and livelihood support to reduce their vulnerability to forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy and enhance their long-term prospects for independence and self-sufficiency.
