Covid-19 A Threat to Progress Against Child Marriage
United Nations Children's Fund
Abstract
Over the next decade, up to 10 million more girls will be at risk of becoming child brides as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. As the pandemic profoundly affects the everyday lives of girls – including their physical and mental health, their education, and the economic circumstances of their families and communities – these changes put girls at higher risk of becoming child brides. The actual number of girls who have been married since the beginning of the crisis is unknown, as most marriages are not registered and many girls live with a partner in an informal union. Still, pre-COVID data can be used to predict the impact of the crisis on child marriage in the near future, examining existing patterns and demographics of child marriage as well as historical information on the effects of educational disruption, economic shocks and programme efficacy on this harmful practice. In bringing such estimates into focus, this publication demonstrates that urgent action is needed for a COVID-19 response strategy that extends beyond health and prioritizes a broader set of rights for children.