Peer-reviewed article
Conceptualizing Conflict-Related Child and Early Marriage as Insecurity: At the Intersection of Gender and Age
Katrina Lee‐Koo, Eleanor Gordon ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This article examines child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) in conflict-affected areas, particularly how it impacts adolescent girls. The research shows that CEFM increases girls' vulnerability to physical, economic, and health risks while restricting their education and participation in peace-building. The study argues that gender inequality and CEFM are directly connected to security threats in crisis contexts across Lake Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, Lebanon, and Bangladesh.
Key points
- CEFM rates are especially high in areas affected by crisis and conflict
- CEFM predominantly impacts girls married to adult men
- CEFM increases vulnerability to physical, economic, and health insecurities
- CEFM curtails access to education for girls
- CEFM compromises girls' engagement in community-based crisis response and recovery efforts
Limitations
This is a conceptual article drawing on research across multiple contexts rather than a primary empirical study, so it does not provide detailed quantitative data or causal evidence specific to particular interventions. The article focuses on describing the problem rather than evaluating solutions to CEFM.
Abstract
Abstract Child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) remains prevalent worldwide. Rates are especially high in areas affected by crisis and conflict. CEFM predominately impacts girls, who are married to adult men; it increases their vulnerability to other threats, including physical, economic, and health insecurities, and curtails access to education. Moreover, because of these resultant threats, CEFM entrenches gender inequality and compromises the extent to which girls engage in community-based crisis response and recovery, thereby undermining efforts to build inclusive, meaningful, and sustainable peace and security. In spite of this, there is little consideration of CEFM in security theorizing or practice. This article explores the security-related causes and effects of CEFM on adolescent girls in conflict-affected contexts by drawing from research conducted in four crisis contexts: Lake Chad (Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon), South Sudan and Uganda, Lebanon (Beirut), and Bangladesh (Cox's Bazar). The article argues that, using an age-responsive critical feminist security framework, clear links can be made between gender inequality, CEFM in adolescent girls, and security.