On 8 September, 2008, PlusNews a division of the Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), published an article on a recent report conducted by World Vision. This report focuses on the phenomenon of child brides. Girls ages 15 and younger are forced to marry men who may be significantly older. According to the article, the World Vision report issues information on 15 countries where girls are most frequently married at a young age. The article states that poverty, orphanhood, culture, and religion are all factors that influence the prevalence of child brides. If a family is struggling to feed themselves, young female members of the family may be forced to marry in order to obtain a traditional “bride price”. According to the report, child brides face increased risk of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and difficulties during and after pregnancies. Girls who are married at a young age are vulnerable to forced sex in the early months of marriage. Additionally, child brides are often denied continued access to education. The World Vision report laments the continued practice and suggests that issues such as poverty must be addressed before there will be a significant decrease in child brides.
To read full article, click here.
To read full World Vision report, click here. (pdf 35 pages)
Compiled from: “Global: The Hidden Costs of Being a Child Bride”, PlusNews—the Integrated Regional Information Network, 8 September, 2008.