Living under Patriarchy

Entrenched gender norms and poverty linked to high rates of child marriage in fragile states

“Getting married before the age of 18 is not right … How can I, being a child, raise another child?” Farhana, 21, Bangladesh

In one of the largest studies of its kind, Plan International finds child marriage remains a deeply entrenched problem across 15 Global South countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Ecuador, Nigeria, Niger and Togo.

Child marriage is illegal in all of these countries except for Niger, where an alarming 3 in 4 girls were married before the age of 18. Across the 7 African states included in this study, 1 in 4 girls were married before the age of 18.

“(He) used to intimidate me, and whenever I tried to speak up, he would beat me. I kept quiet because I feared the consequences.” Bupe, 19, Zambia

“She’s forced to stay, even if she’s beaten or unhappy – because our society says a girl must protect her family’s honour. That’s why many girls stay even if they suffer a lot.” Binita, 19, Nepal

According to UNICEF data, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 every year – equivalent to one child marriage every 3 seconds. 480,000 girls are married before the age of 15. Globally, 1 in 5 young women aged 20-24, and 1 in 30 young men, were married before their 18th birthday.

“I did not know anything. I was still underage. When my mom asked me if I wanted to get married. I also immediately wanted to, there was no thought of how to live it later … When I lived it, I just realised that being married is difficult. It only lasted two years.” Amelya, 23, Indonesia (married at 16)

While important contextual differences exist across the 15 countries, girls described broadly similar reasons for why child marriage persists.

  1. Poverty: looking for financial stability, often fron an older husband, was the most common reason.
  2. Love: cited by girls who were in a relationship, often carried out largely online, or sometimes at school. However, it was often familial pressure that led to marriage. Parents, worried that an extended courtship would bring shame on the family, were determined to formalise the relationship.
  3. Coercion: some girls described their marriages as being entirely forced upon them or expected of them.
  4. Unplanned pregnancy: frequently described as a reason to marry or co-habit.
  5. Escape from an abusive home environment was also cited.

“Some parents accept this situation, almost as if to eliminate their responsibility for having their children at home.” Brenda, 23, Colombia

Researchers asked child marriage activists for their opinions on why, despite decades of campaigning, child marriage persists?

  • 60% of activists identify deep-rooted cultural and societal expectations as the primary driver behind child marriage.
  • 45% of activists perceive pregnancy to be among the main drivers of child marriage.
  • 40% cite financial hardship as a contributing factor.
  • 33% point to weak enforcement of existing child marriage laws.
  • 54% said child marriage has become more widespread in the last decade.

“After marriage, I had to stand on my own feet and take responsibility for running the household. My in-laws are not very understanding people, so all the household responsibilities fell on me.” Manita, 22, Nepal

Plan International recommends five key changes to end child marriage:

  1. Challenge harmful beliefs that push girls into child marriage.
  2. Support access to knowledge for married girls about their rights and ways to build their own futures.
  3. Focus on the most vulnerable girls living in conflict zones, climate disasters and extreme poverty.
  4. Create strong laws that prevent child marriage and help married girls find justice.
  5. Elevate and fund girl leaders who are already fighting child marriage in their communities.