Understanding child marriage: causes, impact and solutions
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Child marriage affects millions of children around the world, denying them the opportunity to grow, learn and reach their full potential. While global rates have declined in recent decades, child marriage remains a serious challenge – particularly in rural and low-income communities.
This article explores:
- what child marriage is,
- why it happens,
- the impacts on children, and
- proven strategies that are helping to prevent it.
What is child marriage?
Child marriage occurs when a person under the age of 18 enters into a formal or informal union. Though most countries have a legal minimum age for marriage, exceptions (such as parental consent) and weak enforcement mean that many child marriages still occur.
Globally, more than 650 million women alive today were married as children (UNICEF). In countries such as Zambia, 42% of women aged 20-24 were married before turning 18 (UNICEF Zambia).
Nia’s story
“By now I would have 2 or 3 children. But instead, I have peace at school.”
At 12, Nia’s childhood nearly ended – cut short by marriage. Although early marriage is illegal in Kenya, it’s still common practice in rural areas, driven by factors like poverty, deeply rooted cultural norms, insecurity and weak law enforcement.
The man Nia was being forced to marry was a stranger. “When he visited the house, I was always crying,” Nia recalled. “My parents would ask me why I was crying, but I couldn’t tell them.”
Nia was terrified. But she confided in her school principal, a ChildFund-trained Child Rights Guardian committed to making the school a safe place for kids.
Her school became a critical safety net. Now 14, Nia’s life looks very different to the one she would have had if she was married at 12.
“By now I would have 2 or 3 children. But instead, I have peace at school,” Nia shared.
What are the causes of child marriage?
The causes of child marriage is driven by a web of complex, interconnected factors. Consequently, to effectively eradicate the practice, we must grasp the underlying systems, prevailing norms and societal behaviours that sustain it.
Cultural traditions
In many communities, cultural beliefs see girls as ready for marriage once they reach puberty. Traditions and gender norms often place value on girls’ roles as wives and mothers, rather than on their education and career potential.
Poverty and economic pressures
Families experiencing poverty may view child marriage as a way to reduce financial strain – through receiving a bride price or having one fewer child to support. Economic insecurity is one of the most significant drivers of early marriage.
Gender inequality
Child marriage is closely linked to gender inequality. In many societies, girls have fewer opportunities and rights than boys. Limiting girls’ access to education and employment reinforces the cycle of child marriage.
Effects of child marriage
Child marriage has lifelong consequences for children, particularly girls. It erodes their rights, limits their opportunities and traps them in cycles of poverty.
Education
Education is one of the strongest protections against child marriage – and one of the first casualties when it occurs. Most girls leave school once they are married. They are pulled out of school to assume domestic responsibilities, care for a new household and often begin childbearing. The loss of education severely limits their future prospectives.
Girls who remain in school are more likely to delay marriage and have greater economic opportunities later in life.
Health
Early pregnancy poses serious health risks for girls. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pregnancy and childbirth complications are a leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19 worldwide. Babies born to very young mothers also face higher risks of complications and poor health outcomes.
Emotional and social wellbeing
Child marriage often leads to social isolation, loss of childhood and increased risk of violence. Many girls report emotional distress from taking on adult responsibilities required in early child marriage before they are ready.
Economic outcomes
Girls who marry early typically have lower lifetime earnings. A World Bank study found that child marriage reduces a woman’s earnings by an average of 9%. This economic disadvantage can extend across generations, perpetuating a cycle of poverty across generations.
Increased vulnerability to violence and abuse
Child marriage can push girls into situations where they are more susceptible to physical, sexual and emotional violence. Their youth, combined with limited autonomy and social support, heightens the risk of exploitation and hinders their capacity to access help or escape abuse.
Where is child marriage most common?
Underage marriage also known as child marriage is a pervasive global issue that cuts across countries, cultures, religions and ethnicities. Although rates of child marriage have decreased globally, progress has been uneven. The practice remains most common in rural areas and among the poorest households.
Each year, 12 million girls are married before their 18th birthday. This means 23 girls are married every minute, almost one every three second (Girls Not Brides).
Without additional efforts, it is estimated that 150 million more girls could become child brides by 2030 (UNICEF).
How can child marriage be prevented?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to child marriage. Eradicating this practice demands collective action, with solutions that are local, context-specific and integrated.
Education
Keeping girls in school is one of the most effective ways to prevent child marriage. Education provides knowledge, skills, and confidence – and offers girls greater choices for their futures. Research shows that girls who complete secondary school are significantly less likely to marry early.
In Kenya, 12.5% of girls marry before the age of 18 with rates varying significantly across regions and among ethnic groups. ChildFund works with local partners in Kenya to support education initiatives, including training teachers and school leaders to become child rights guardians, who can identify and intervene in cases of child marriage. We also establish safe spaces in schools and communities for children at risk of child marriage.
Community engagement
Engaging with parents, community leaders and young people is key to changing attitudes about child marriage. Community workshops help raise awareness of the risks of child marriage and promote alternative pathways for girls.
Economic support for families
Providing families with economic alternatives reduces the financial pressures that often contribute to child marriage. Livelihood programs, cash transfers and other forms of support help families prioritise education over early marriage.
Strengthening legal protections
Many countries have laws that prohibit child brides entering into marriage, but enforcement is often inconsistent. Strengthening legal frameworks – and ensuring communities are aware of these laws – helps protect children from early marriage.
Through ChildFund Kenya’s Tujukumike Child Protection Project in Kenya, ChildFund staff and partners engage directly with leaders at the local and national levels to push for stronger child protection laws and amplify children’s voices, so they are heard by decision-makers on the matters that impact their safety.
Looking ahead – how to stop child marriage
Ending child marriage takes all of us. Breaking this cycle of violence requires a multi-faceted approach – one that addresses root causes while protecting children at risk. While there is no single solution, progress is being made through education, community engagement, legal reform and economic support.
To learn more about ChildFund’s work to protect children and support their education, visit:
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