Over the past 25 years, encouraging strides have been made in reducing child marriages globally, saving millions of girls from this harmful practice. Notably, regions like South Asia exhibit positive advancements in eliminating child marriage, driven predominantly by India's decline. Promising progress is also evident in populous countries such as Bangladesh and Ethiopia, as well as smaller nations like Maldives and Rwanda.
Nonetheless, the reality remains that we are far from eradicating child marriage. The current pace indicates it could take up to 300 years to fully eliminate this issue globally.
Sub-Saharan Africa, the second-largest hub of child brides, lags behind in progress, raising concerns. Areas like Latin America, the Caribbean, and parts of the Middle East show limited signs of improvement. The most vulnerable and marginalized girls continue to face the highest risk, highlighting the urgency of change.
The trajectory can be altered through investments in inclusive economic growth, gender-responsive social protection, improved labor market policies, quality secondary education, and support for already-married girls. Transforming harmful gender norms and unequal power dynamics is crucial.
While focusing on broader strategies, addressing societal norms that perpetuate these practices is equally vital. Comprehensive approaches encompass life skills, sexuality education, livelihood training, and empowering girls through initiatives like financial support for schooling.
With the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal deadline approaching, it's time to recommit and intensify efforts. UNICEF, along with governments, civil society, academia, and youth, remains steadfast in the mission to safeguard girls from the grip of child marriage.
The progress in reducing child marriage offers hope, but the challenges remain substantial. The efforts of UNICEF, alongside various stakeholders, reflect a shared commitment to protecting vulnerable girls and transforming societal norms. Ending child marriage is not only a victory for human rights but also paves the way for a more equitable and empowered world for all.
Girls should be allowed to be girls — to be children. Today, while reflecting on the new data, we are standing up and saying that this is enough. We need to end child marriage and chart brighter futures for all girls, across the world.
Source: United Nations Children’s Fund, "Is an End to Child Marriage within Reach?". https://data.unicef.org/resources/is-an-end-to-child-marriage-within-reach/. Latest trends and future prospects. 2023 update, UNICEF, New York, 2023. [Accessed: May 5th 2023]
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