Paraguay girls face climate emergencies and early unions

A report by the Coordinadora por los Derechos de la Infancia y la Adolescencia (CDIA) highlights severe inequalities facing girls and adolescents in Paraguay, specifically regarding climate change and early unions.

A survey of youth in Guairá, Paraguarí, San Pedro, and Caaguazú revealed that 51% of girls missed school due to climate emergencies. Additionally, 80% of girls and adolescents reported that heat or weather changes affect their health. The climate crisis has also impacted local economies, with 38% of respondents reporting losses in crops or livestock and 26% reporting lost family income.

Regarding social vulnerabilities, estimates based on data from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) indicate that approximately 5,625 female adolescents aged 15 to 17 were in early unions during 2025. This figure accounts for 83% of all adolescent unions in that age group. The CDIA warns that these practices constitute a grave violation of human rights that limits educational opportunities and autonomy.