Child marriages and early unions: inequality and poverty among women, girls and adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean

This report examines child marriages and early unions in Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on how these practices affect women, girls and adolescents experiencing inequality and poverty. The document defines child marriage as any union where at least one party is under 18, recognizing that most cases involve girls. It notes that child marriage is considered forced marriage because it lacks the full, free and informed consent of those involved. The definition includes both formal and informal conjugal unions recognized by legal, customary or religious norms.

Key points

• Child marriage is defined as a union where at least one party is under 18 years old
• The overwhelming majority of child marriages and unions involve girls
• Child marriage is classified as a form of forced marriage due to lack of full, free and informed consent
• The definition includes both formal and informal unions recognized by legal, customary or religious norms
• The practice is linked to inequality and poverty among affected women, girls and adolescents

Limitations

This document excerpt provides only definitional and conceptual framing without presenting data, findings, or analysis about the prevalence, causes, or consequences of child marriage in the region. It cannot tell us about the scale of the problem, affected populations, or evidence about interventions.