“Let’s call it what it is – not child marriage, but child rape,” said Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda,
UN Women Deputy Executive Director, at #UNGA during a side event co-hosted by Girls Not Brides. These words echoed in my mind as I joined women’s rights leaders, activists, and civil society organizations last week. We discussed how this practice continues to rob millions of girls of their childhood, autonomy, and potential. When a girl is forced into marriage, being violated sexually is mostly inevitable, under the guise of a legal union. This exploitation not only strips away her childhood but subjects her to a life of abuse, pregnancies (sometimes life threatening), limited education and severe health risks. Despite the progress made, it’s clear there is still so much more to do to end child marriage and the inevitable sexual exploitation that comes with it.
A Global Reality Child marriage affects approximately 12 million girls every year, according to UNICEF. In fact, Girls Not Brides reports that one in five girls globally is married before turning 18. This isn’t just a violation of their rights, it’s a legalized pathway to exploitation. In countries like Niger and Bangladesh, the rates are even more alarming, with over 75% of girls married before 18. These numbers reflect a global crisis where cultural norms, poverty, and gender inequality converge, resulting in the exploitation of millions of young girls. Child marriage isn’t just about tradition; it’s about perpetuating a cycle of abuse, limited opportunities, and stolen futures.
Child marriage (or rape) is a global issue. In the United States, more than 300,000 children were married between 2000 and 2018, with most of them being young girls wed to much older men, as reported by Equality Now’s long term partner Unchained At Last. This stark reality shows that child marriage remains an issue both globally and domestically.
Legal Loopholes and Cultural Norms That Perpetuate Child Marriage
Legislation is often seen as the solution, but in many countries, legal loopholes allow this practice to continue. In the United States, for example, only 13 states have set the minimum marriage age at 18 without exceptions, according to Equality Now’s recent report. Yet, in more than 37 states, child marriage is still possible under certain conditions. This means that, with parental or judicial consent, a girl’s right to childhood can be taken away in a matter of minutes.
Working closely with partners like Unchained At Last, Equality Now has been actively involved in efforts to end child marriage across the U.S. Through the National Coalition to End Child Marriage, Unchained At Last has helped overturn child marriage laws in 10 states over the past few years, a significant step forward. However, despite this progress, there’s much more to be done to ensure that every child is protected.
Globally, these loopholes are even more pronounced. In Colombia, despite legislative efforts, child marriage continues to be driven by poverty and deeply ingrained societal norms, as detailed in the Equality Now Report on Child, Early, and Forced Marriages and Unions in Colombia. In Southern Africa, similar patterns emerge, with cultural traditions often taking precedence over laws meant to protect girls. These loopholes not only perpetuate the cycle of abuse but also undermine the efforts made toward achieving true gender equality.
The Human Impact Behind the Statistics
Statistics may quantify the problem, but the real impact is seen in the lives of the girls forced into these marriages. A recent Briefing Note on the Marriage Statutory Amendments (MSA) by Equality Now revealed that girls married before 18 are 31% more likely to live in poverty and four times less likely to graduate from college. These aren’t just numbers; they represent stolen childhoods, denied opportunities, and, inevitably, exposure to sexual exploitation that no child should endure. Through our work, we’ve met survivors whose dreams of completing their education were cut short. They have faced unimaginable challenges, including the trauma of sexual exploitation disguised as “marriage.” It’s stories like theirs that fuel our commitment to ending child marriage once and for all.
Where Equality Now Is Working to End Child Marriage
Our efforts against child marriage span continents. In India, we’re advocating for stricter enforcement of laws that set the marriage age at 18. In Kenya, we’re working with local organizations to empower girls and challenge the cultural norms that perpetuate child marriage and the exploitation that follows. In Ethiopia, we’ve partnered with grassroots movements to raise awareness and provide education, while in the Middle East, we’re pushing for legal reforms to close loopholes that allow child marriages to persist. These efforts are part of a global strategy to ensure that every girl, regardless of where she lives, has the right to choose her future free from sexual exploitation.
A Critical Tool: The Equal Rights Amendment
If we’re serious about ending child marriage, we must recognize the importance of legal frameworks like the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA Factsheet on Child Marriage by Equality Now outlines how it offers a chance to challenge child marriage laws as unconstitutional, ensuring that gender equality is protected at the highest level. The ERA isn’t just about one country; it’s a framework that, if implemented widely, can support girls’ rights worldwide, providing a foundation to combat child marriage and the sexual exploitation that often accompanies it.
The Path Forward This journey is not just about changing laws; it’s about transforming societies. Our work at Equality Now, alongside partners and survivors, is driven by the belief that every girl deserves a future free from the shackles of child marriage. But this change requires all of us to question the norms that have allowed this practice to persist.
As I reflect on the conversations from this event, I reaffirm that the issue is far bigger than just legal reforms; it’s about recognizing that child marriage is a form of sexual exploitation. To truly eradicate it, we need stricter laws, better implementation, and a commitment to joint advocacy that holds every institution accountable. This means working together to challenge harmful traditions, raise awareness, and build a world where the rights of girls are protected and upheld.
Together, we have the power to turn the tide and ensure that the dreams of every girl, no matter where she is, are not cut short but are allowed to flourish.