Through our research, ICRW is leading efforts to find solutions that will eliminate the harmful traditional practice

of child marriage. Child marriage most often occurs in poor, rural communities. In many regions, parents arrange their daughters marriage unbeknownst to the girl. That can mean that one day, she may be at home playing with her siblings, and the next, shes married off and sent to live in another village with her husband and his family strangers, essentially. She is pulled out of school. She is separated from her peers. And once married, she is more likely to be a victim of domestic violence and suffer health complications associated with early sexual activity and childbearing.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Support our efforts to end child marriage.

ICRWs early research provided a deeper understanding of the scope, causes and consequences of child marriage. Now, our experts are focused on how to prevent and ultimately end the practice.

10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO END CHILD MARRIAGE

1. Support ICRWs work to reduce child marriage and improve the lives of adolescent girls. 2. Let others know this is a global problem that prevents girls from reaching their full potential. Bookmark and share ICRWs Child Marriage Facts & Figures web page. 3. Follow ICRW on Twitter. 4. Spread the word about the harmful consequences of child marriage using Twitter. Sample tweet: If present #childmarriage trends continue, 100 million girls will marry over the next decade. http://bit.ly/cO8GN6 5. Watch and share our web video about child marriage, The Bride Price: Consequences of Child Marriage Worldwide. 6. Connect with ICRW on Facebook. 7. Subscribe to our e-blast to receive updates on how ICRW is working to combat child marriage. 8. Learn more about ICRWs efforts to engage the United States government to prevent child marriage. 9. Sign the GirlUp petition to ask President Barack Obama to do more to halt the practice of child marriage. 10. Read National Geographics Too Young to Wed: The Secret World of Child Brides.

THE ISSUE: CHILD MARRIAGE

Child marriage, defined as marriage before age 18, devastates the lives of girls, their families and their communities. Widespread in many developing countries, child brides number more than 60 million worldwide. In some countries, half of the girls are married before they turn 18.

This harmful traditional practice of child marriage is most common in poor, rural communities, and its consequences only perpetuate the cycle of poverty. More often than not, child brides are pulled out of school, depriving them of an education and meaningful work. They suffer health risks associated with early sexual activity and childbearing, leading to high rates of maternal and child mortality as well as sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. And they are more likely to be victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and social isolation. Though child marriage is entrenched in tradition and culture, The June edition of National change is possible. Very often, girls and their parents want to Geographic features the photography delay marriage but lack options. Governments and communities of Stephanie Sinclair and includes are actively working to discourage the practice by raising interviews with ICRW experts on awareness of the adverse consequences for girls, running child marriage. programs that provide girls with viable alternatives to marriage, and demanding more effective enforcement of existing laws that condemn child marriage. With the right mix of effective programs, policies and political will, millions of girls will have the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

OUR ROLE
ICRWs focus on child marriage emerged from our work to improve the lives of adolescents. Through projects in India and Nepal, we found that child marriage was a significant and recurring problem, particularly for girls. Our research efforts set out to understand the scope, causes and consequences in order to find solutions. Collaborating with local partners, we've designed effective programs that work with girls and boys, their families and communities to delay marriage. And we've used our research evidence to educate national and international policymakers on the need for leadership and action.
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WHAT WE DO

Areas of Work Adolescents Child Marriage Agriculture & Food Security Economic Empowerment Assets & Property Rights Employment & Enterprise Development HIV & AIDS Stigma & Discrimination Population & Reproductive Health Fertility & Empowerment Network