Peer-reviewed article
Strategies for Child Marriage Prevention in Indonesia: A Case Study
Enny Fitriahadi, Thuy Hong Nguyen, Endang Koni Suryaningsih, Evi Wahyuntari, Yekti Satriyandari ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This qualitative study examined why child marriage occurs in two Indonesian communities, Dlingo and Dukun. Researchers found that families use early marriage as a strategy to cope with economic hardship and to protect daughters from sexual exploitation. The study highlights that child marriage is linked to serious health risks, particularly pregnancy complications in young girls. The authors recommend comprehensive reproductive health education for adolescents as a prevention strategy.
Key points
- Child marriage data in Indonesia increased by 30% in 2021
- Families use child marriage as a protection strategy in response to economic insecurity
- Early marriage is also used to protect young women from sexual exploitation and prevent consensual sex before marriage
- Early marriage is associated with vulnerability to pregnancy complications
- The study used 12 focus group discussions, 20 in-depth interviews, and 6 key informant interviews
Limitations
This study describes perceptions and drivers of child marriage but does not evaluate the effectiveness of any specific prevention intervention. The findings are based on qualitative research from two specific locations in Indonesia and may not be generalizable to other regions or countries.
Abstract
Early marriage is a complex social problem, with many girls marrying before the age of 18. In Indonesia, child marriage data in 2021 increased by 30%. This figure indicates that early marriage remains a significant challenge in Indonesia, in terms of education and health. This study aims to explore perceptions about child marriage and provide insight into the dynamics of decision-making around child marriage in Dlingo and Dukun, Indonesia. Qualitative research methods were used to ensure an in-depth understanding of the reasons and processes behind child marriage. Data were collected through 12 focus group discussions (FGD), 20 in-depth interviews (IDI), and 6 semi-structured key interviews (KII) informants. The instrument used a semi-structured guideline, using individual interview techniques. Data analysis used Nvivo version 12. This study concluded that families use child marriage as a protection strategy in response to economic insecurity. In addition, this program is also used as a means to protect young women from sexual exploitation and prevent consensual sex before marriage. Early marriage is associated with the vulnerability of pregnancy complications, while the recommendation is to provide comprehensive education to adolescents about reproductive health and the dangers of early marriage.