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Child marriage is any formal or informal union between a child under 18 and an adult or another child. UNICEF works to end this harmful practice that affects girls' rights, health and education.
‘Early marriage’ refers to a marriage/union where a child is deemed an adult under the laws of that country (before the age of 18 or upon marriage). It can also refer to marriages where both partners are over the age of 18 but are unable to freely give consent to the marriage for another reason.
1 sty 2021 · Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM) refers to different forms of marriages involving girls (and to a lesser extent boys) including child marriages, early marriages, and forced marriages of anyone under 18 years of age.
4 lut 2022 · Learn what child marriage is, why it happens, how common it is, and what are the consequences and solutions. Find out the difference between child marriage, early marriage and forced marriage.
15 paź 2020 · An estimated 650 million girls and women alive today married before their 18th birthday. Referred to as girl child marriage, the formal or informal union of the girl-child before age 18, the practice is increasingly recognized as a key roadblock to global health, development, and gender equality.
We work to end child marriage so adolescent girls have the opportunity and confidence to realise their potential, fulfil their aspirations and enjoy their rights. On this page all types of child, early and forced marriage and unions will be referred to as child marriage as this is the commonly used and widely understood term.
Child marriage is a violation of human rights that affects millions of girls and boys worldwide. Learn about the causes, consequences and data sources of this practice, and how UNICEF works to end it by 2030.
