Child marriage is a global issue, one that affects over 15 million girls and boys annually. While it affects countries all over the globe, Africa is the most affected continent of all. This is in part due to the high rate of poverty and low rate of education in the country.
A lot of research has been done into the causes and consequences of child marriage around the world. Awareness is being provided and various NGOs and social work organizations to countries in Africa and other third world countries, especially where there is no minimum legal age of marriage.
As the infographic says, 18 of the top 20 countries with cases of child marriages are in the continent of Africa. A lot of these countries have no minimum legal age of marriage, under any condition.A lot of research has been done into the causes and consequences of child marriage around the world. Awareness is being provided and various NGOs and social work organizations to countries in Africa and other third world countries, especially where there is no minimum legal age of marriage.
Child marriage not only affects the children involved but also their families and even the economic situation of their countries.
Girls who are married before the age of 18 are much more likely to experience abuse, whether emotional, physical, or sexual. Not only does this hinder their own growth, but the growth of any children their marriages result in.
One of the biggest perpetrators of child marriage is archaic traditions and laws, which treat marriage and the lives of young women especially as something to be traded off. The responsibility to stop such inhuman traditions rests on all of our shoulders, as parents, community leaders, and onlookers.
Infographic by: https://www.girlsnotbrides.org
