Tag: child marriage
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Aug 19, 2010
Child Marriage: What You Can Do Today to Prevent It
In developing countries, one in seven girls marry before the age 15, and 38% marry before age 18. Most international conventions (including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter) define child marriage as marriage before the age of 18. It is a harmful traditional practice, a public health problem, and a violation of human rights. Child brides are denied their right to decide for themselves when and whom to marry; they’re forced to engage in sexual relations, usually with older husbands. They are robbed of their childhood, compelled to assume responsibilities and handle situations for which they are physically and psychologically unprepared. Child brides enter the institution of marriage with little or no information about their sexual and reproductive health, including contraception, safe motherhood, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. Lacking status and power, they are often socially isolated and at increased risk of experiencing domestic violence, and many remain... Read More »
