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UN agencies warn of global child marriage crisis
On the International Day of the Girl Child, UN agencies including UNICEF, UNFPA, and UN Women have issued warnings regarding the global prevalence of child marriage. Data indicates that approximately one in five girls worldwide are married before the age of 18, representing roughly 650 million women and girls currently alive who experienced childhood marriage.
Reports state that over 12 million girls are married annually, a rate of approximately one every three seconds. Sub-Saharan Africa reports the highest prevalence at 31%. The practice is linked to significant risks, including gender-based violence, pregnancy complications—a leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19—and reduced economic participation.
Despite these challenges, UNICEF notes that progress has been made. Over the last 25 years, an estimated 68 million child marriages have been averted through targeted investments in girls' education, legal reforms, and social protection programs. Agencies are calling for continued efforts to keep girls in school, expand access to healthcare, and challenge harmful cultural norms to ensure girls can realize their full potential.
Entities
Diene Keita · UN Women · UNFPA · UNICEF
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Approximately 650 million women and girls currently alive were married as children. www.imolaoggi.it · www.thegeniusmedia.com.ng · www.huffingtonpost.it · www.interris.it · www.toscanaoggi.it
- [● 5 SOURCES] Investments in education, legal reform, and social protection have averted an estimated 68 million child marriages over the last 25 years. www.imolaoggi.it · www.thegeniusmedia.com.ng · www.huffingtonpost.it · www.interris.it · www.toscanaoggi.it
- [DISPUTED] The UNFPA reports that at least 20 girls are married every minute worldwide. www.zambiamonitor.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of child marriage at 31%. www.imolaoggi.it · www.huffingtonpost.it · www.interris.it
- [● 5 SOURCES] Approximately one in five girls globally are married before reaching the age of 18. www.imolaoggi.it · www.thegeniusmedia.com.ng · www.huffingtonpost.it · www.interris.it · www.toscanaoggi.it
- [DISPUTED] More than 12 million girls are married annually, occurring at a rate of roughly one every three seconds. www.imolaoggi.it · www.thegeniusmedia.com.ng · www.huffingtonpost.it · www.interris.it · www.toscanaoggi.it