First Ever Analysis on Child Grooms by UNICEF

Last Friday, UNICEF released its first ever analysis on child grooms around the world. The report estimated that 115 million men and boys around the world were married as children. Among them, 23 million were married before they reached the age of 15.

The study is based on data from 82 countries. It ranked Central African Republic on top with 28% of its male population married as children. Nicaragua and Madagascar were placed second and third with 19% and 13% respectively.

“Marriage steals childhood,” said Unicef Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “Child grooms are forced to take on adult responsibilities for which they may not be ready.”

UN News reported that child marriage has been extensively studied from a girl child’s context, but there is little research that highlights its impact on boys.

“Early marriage brings early fatherhood, and with it added pressure to provide for a family – cutting short education and job opportunities,” Fore elaborated.

“As we mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we need to remember that marrying boys and girls off while they are still children runs counter to the rights enshrined in the Convention,” reminded Fore.

“Through further research, investment and empowerment, we can end this violation,” she asserted.

Source: Dhaka Tribune