This study aims to examine 167 adolescents who were referred by courts between 2008 and 2016 to prepare medical-legal reports on their suitability for marriage. Most were illiterate or graduates of primary/secondary school; only 17 (10.2%) were still at high school. A total of 95 girls (56.9%) had a religious marriage without a civil certificate, 63 girls (37.7%) were pregnant, and 15 (9%) had a child. According to medical reports, 91 of the girls were considered unsuitable for marriage; 76 girls who were pregnant and/or had a child were also considered unsuitable, so it was necessary to let the judge decide.
Canan Kuygun Karcı, Perihan Çam Ray, Ayşegül Yolga Tahiroğlu et al.
In patriarchal society, early marriage is deeply entrenched to preserve family honour and control female, positioning girls as future homemakers rather than educated individuals. This study explores the experiences of adolescent girls affected by early marriage and its consequences for their education and health. Employing a qualitative exploratory design, we interviewed 15 such girls via snowball sampling and analysed data thematically. Findings reveal a vicious cycle driven by patriarchal norms, health risks (e.g., fistula trauma, GBV-induced PTSD), and intervention gaps, precipitating pre-secondary dropouts and low literacy. Honor-based narratives prioritize purity over schooling, while stipends yield limited success. Bundled reforms—norm-challenging dialogues, integrated health-education programs, refined stipends, and rural infrastructure targeting male gatekeepers—will foster equity, retention, and resilience.
Farooq Abdullah, Shamim Akhtar, Jawaria Zafar et al.
PURPOSE: Although there is a growing evidence base on the drivers of child marriage, comparatively little is known about the experiences of married girls in refugee settings and how their development trajectories diverge from those of their nonmarried peers, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on cross-national panel data from Bangladesh and Jordan, this article explores diversity in child marriage experiences in contexts affected by forced displacement, highlighting how married girls' well-being differs from that of their unmarried peers, and how COVID-19 has reinforced these differences. METHODS: We analyzed longitudinal survey data-collected pre- and post-COVID-19-from the Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence study with 293 ever-married and 1,102 never-married adolescent girls. Multivariate regression analysis assessed the well-being of married and unmarried girls across contexts and refugee status, both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. These quantitative data are complemented by in-depth qualitative data from adolescents (n = 112), and key informant interviews with service providers and community leaders (n = 62). RESULTS: Our findings highlight that married girls in contexts affected by displacement are disadvantaged in multiple ways, but that the patterning of disadvantage varies across contexts, and that marriage can also have protective effects in certain contexts. The COVID-19 pandemic has, however, served to exacerbate existing inequalities in all contexts. DISCUSSION: Although child marriage prevention efforts remain critical, there is also an urgent need for programming that targets married girls in refugee and host communities to mitigate negative outcomes among this vulnerable group.
Sarah Baird, Maureen Murphy, Jennifer Elizabeth Seager et al.
The present study aims to investigate the determinants of girl-child marriage in the high prevalence states of India. The purpose of the study was to analyze various socio-economic, demographic, cultural, and village-level characteristics that are important in determining factors for girl-child marriage in high prevalence states of India. Binary logistic regression was applied to analyze secondary data (DLHS-4 data of 2012 -13) of 1,25,549 girls who were married off early. The results of this study indicated that the individual and household socio-economic and demographic characteristics, such as place of residence, education, religion, and caste were important factors determining girl-child marriage among high prevalence states in India. Moreover, it can be observed that there is a greater tendency towards child marriage among rural women, irrespective of educational and wealth differences in high prevalence states in India. Furthermore, it was also found that the largest drop in the prevalence of girl-child marriage is in the under-15 marriages, while marriages in the age group of 15-17 years is common in a number of high prevalence states like West Bengal, Tripura and Andhra Pradesh. The results show that the wealth quintile, village infrastructure quintile, and households that have a BPL card do not play any significant role as variables in reducing girl-child marriages in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. In this study, I have observed that girls with secondary and higher education have much lower chances of early marriage as compared to illiterate girls. Thus, education and early marriage are found to be closely linked.
Background: Late adolescent girls are being forced into marriage and the burden of marital responsibilities, most notably partner’s sexual demands and childbearing and child-rearing, led to significant emotional distress and depression. Thus, early marriage for girls might have profound impact on their health status. Aims & Objectives: To study impact of early marriage on health status of married girls of late adolescent age and to compare them with unmarried girls of same age. Material & Methods: A comparison study was conducted among girls of late adolescent age in an urban slum of North East Delhi. One sixty study participants were included in each group. A pretested interview schedule was used for collecting details such as knowledge on reproductive health, physical parameters and anemic status. Chi square tests were used and odds ratio was calculated. Results: Majority of married girls, 102(63.8%) had middle school education while 93(58.1%) of unmarried girls had high school education. The mean (SD) age of marriage of married adolescent girls was 17(±) years while their husband age at time of marriage was 21.6(±) years. Levels of hemoglobin were low in both groups 87.5% in married girls and 98.75% in unmarried girls. Conclusion: Early marriage was found to have impact on menstruation, reproductive health and nutritional status of adolescent girls.
Sujata Gupta, Neha Taneja, Vinoth Gnana Chellaiyan et al.
Thesis Statement: National and international policy documents have consistently placed a premium on adolescent nutrition improvement. While the health and well-being of children aged 14 to 19 is a critical indicator of a country's economic growth, the same is always argued to be even more so for females of the same age. Malnutrition's detrimental effects on young females aged 14–19 is of particular concern to health planners. Methodology: Using data from the NFHS-03 (2005–06), NFHS-04 (2015–16), and NFHS-05 (2019-20) surveys, the current study examines the impact of two key policies, the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthaya Karyakram (2019-20) and the Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Program (2005–2014) on the health status of adolescent girls. Results: The study found a strong link between adolescent nutritional and anaemic status, teen pregnancy, and child marriage. Additionally, the disparity between resources allocated and expenditure under Rashtriya Kishor Swasthaya Karyakram has a detrimental effect on the nutritional status of adolescent girls in Indian states. Conclusion and implications: Given that, despite legal interventions, child marriage and teenage pregnancy continue to occur in Indian states, policy interventions and serious implementation become essential for not only improving the health of the female cohort, but also for the future well-being of the next generation. Literacy levels of women and their anaemic status bear a significant negative correlation. Not just the literacy levels, but longer the time the girls have attended school also has a significant negative impact on their anaemic status. Thus, literacy and health and wellbeing of adolescent Indian women bear a significant relationship and poses to be two sides of a coin. Keywords: Adolescent girls, Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Program, Anaemia, Nutrition, Sustainable development goals
Upma Gautam, Deeksha Bajpai Tewari, Upma Gautam et al.
The examination endeavors to discover the current social and cultural practices in regards to period, mindfulness levels, and the conduct changes that occur in adolescent girls amid monthly cycle, their discernment about menarche, how they would treat it, and the different taboos, standards, and cultural practices related with menarche. Indeed, even today in the 21st century India, the psychosocial and cultural situations have multitudinous preferential conventions and excess traditions endowment, child marriage, absence of education, physical and mental viciousness, and so on. The Indian girls in light of their auxiliary status in the general public may have low confidence and poor mental prosperity. In this manner it winds up imperative to ponder the psychosocial and cultural boundaries looked by Indian girls keeping in mind the end goal to offer an opportune adjustment that can enable them to assume a considerable part in getting down to business the future village society. The wide goal of the present investigation was to recognize the psychosocial and cultural obstructions in a village society which thwarting to get girls' maximum capacity. Two hundred and ten members, between the age group of 13-19 years, from District Rohtak in Haryana (India), reacted in a particular survey. Meetings and center group talks were additionally held. Around 10 talks were taken with rural ladies. Results acquired demonstrate certain components as inhibitors (e.g. unsafe customary practices, clashing circumstances, sexual orientation segregation and so forth.). The ramifications of the discoveries in giving ways to arrangement creators, social researchers, and health professionals towards rural regions in regards to adolescent girls has been talked about.
Marriage Is One Of The Important Social Institutions And It Is A Means Of Establishing A Family Through Which The Society Perpetuates. This Social Process Is Expressed In The Form Of Rituals And Symbols. In India 45 Percent Of Girls Are Wedded Below 18 Years. Child Marriage Is One Of The Burning Problems Of Indian Society. In India, Despite Amended Laws Advocating 18 As The Legal Minimum Age At Marriage For Females, A Substantial Proportion I.E. Every Third Adolescent Girl In The Age Group Of 15-19 Years Is Married And Every Second Married Adolescent Girl Has Given Birth To A Child. Child Marriage Or Early Marriage Is One Of The Burning Problems And Issues In Salem, Dharmapuri And Namakkal Districts District. Whereas The Minimum Age Of Marriage For Girls Is 18 And Boys Is 21. It Is Necessary That Both The Bride And Bridegroom Must Reach That Particular Age. Article 13 Of The United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child (Uncrc) Clearly States That Every Child Shall Have The Right To Freedom Of Expression And Also The Right To Choice. But The Opportunity Is Not Give To The Child To Choose His/Her Life Partner. It Is Difficult To Obtain Accurate Data On The Real Extent Of Child Marriage Owing To The Fact That Most Marriages Are Not Officially Registered. The Parents’ Information Is Not Reliable.In This Regard, An Attempt Is Being Made In This Paper To Collect Qualitative Inputs From Respondents Using Case Studies, Focus Group Discussion And Problem Ranking Techniques From The Varied Sections Of The Society Residing In Salem, Dharmapuri And District. Secondary Data Is Also Being Used To Arrive At Possible Interventions From Social Work Perspective.The Detailed Interventions Put-Forth Would Be Deliberated In-Depth In The Full Paper.
INTRODUCTION: The Syrian conflict has resulted in over 2.3 million child refugees in the Middle East and the prevalence of early marriage has reportedly increased among displaced Syrian families. This study explores the underlying factors contributing to child marriage among Syrian refugees in Lebanon with the goal of informing community-based strategies to address the issue. METHODS: In July-August 2016, trained interviewers collected self-interpreted stories in Lebanon using Cognitive Edge's SenseMaker, a mixed-method data collection tool. Participants included married and unmarried Syrian girls, Syrian parents as well as married and unmarried men. Each participant shared a story about the experiences of Syrian girls and then interpreted the story by plotting their perspectives on a variety of questions. Patterns in the responses were analysed in SPSS and the accompanying qualitative narratives were reviewed to facilitate interpretation of the quantitative results. RESULTS: 1422 self-interpreted stories from 1346 unique participants were collected with 40% of shared stories focused on (n=332) or mentioning (n=245) child marriage. Quantitative data summarised the different perspectives of female and male participants. Syrian girls and mothers were more likely to share stories about protection/security and/or education and were more likely to report that girls were overprotected. Male participants were more likely to share stories about financial security as well as sexual exploitation of girls and more often reported that girls were not protected enough. Despite these gendered perspectives, many of the shared narratives highlighted similar themes of financial hardship, lack of educational opportunities and safety concerns around sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). CONCLUSIONS: A complex myriad of factors contribute to early marriage including poverty, lack of educational opportunities and concerns about SGBV. Sexual exploitation under the guise of marriage is a reality for some Syrian girls. Gender-specific strategies to address child marriage might be more effective in reducing this harmful practice.
Susan Andrea Bartels, Saja Michael, Sophie Roupetz et al.
BackgroundWhile the global prevalence and consequences of child marriage are well documented, limited qualitative research has examined its lived impacts in conflict-affected Yemen, particularly from the perspectives of girls and communities. Moreover, little attention has been paid to local forms of resistance, agency, and the enabling conditions that support change in fragile and protracted conflict settings.ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the emotional, social and physical costs of child marriage, examine girls' and communities' resistance strategies including reflection, regret, and hope and identify enabling structures and supportive environments that can facilitate efforts to end child marriage in Yemen.DesignA qualitative study using focus group discussions.MethodsA total of 97 participants were included through purposive sampling, comprising married and unmarried adolescent girls, young women, and adult community members. Sixteen focus group discussions were conducted between September and December 2024 using semi-structured guides tailored to each participant group across three Yemeni governorates (Marib, Sana'a, and Taiz). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants described early marriage as producing interconnected emotional, social, health, and educational harms that reshape girls' life trajectories. Married girls reported psychological distress, restricted mobility, premature domestic responsibilities, maternal health risks, and the loss of educational opportunities. Despite these constraints, girls and community members articulated forms of reflection, negotiation, and aspiration that challenged the inevitability of early marriage. Family support, community awareness, and institutional environments were identified as critical factors shaping girls' ability to delay or resist child marriage.ConclusionChild marriage in Yemen produces cumulative and gendered harms that undermine girls' wellbeing and life trajectories. While conflict intensifies these harms, girls, families, and communities actively negotiate, resist, and reimagine alternatives within constrained environments. Strengthening girls' education, legal enforcement, community-based support, and access to health and social services is essential to advancing girls' agency and addressing child marriage in fragile settings.
Abdullah Nagi Alosaimi, Susanne Dahlgren, Amal AlZahmi et al.
