Child Marriage: Three Things to Know

TL;DR

Child marriage is a global issue impacting U.S. interests.

Transcript

Under current trends, experts predict that, by 2020, some fifty million girls will be married before they reach their fifteenth birthdays. Here are three things to know about the practice of child marriage and why it matters to U.S. foreign policy. First, child marriage is far more prevalent than most people realize. The number of women married as ... Read More

Key Insights

• Child marriage is a widespread issue affecting millions of girls globally, with significant numbers married before age fifteen, highlighting a critical human rights concern.
• The practice of child marriage is prevalent across various regions, including South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, with India accounting for a significant proportion.
• Child marriage severely impacts the education and economic potential of young girls, which in turn stifles economic growth and development in affected regions.
• The issue of child marriage is linked to instability, with many of the countries with high prevalence being fragile states or at risk of natural disasters.
• Ending child marriage is both a moral and strategic imperative, as it affects global development, prosperity, and stability, which align with U.S. foreign policy interests.
• Recent legislative actions in the U.S. have elevated the issue of child marriage on the foreign policy agenda, emphasizing the need for a strategic approach.
• The reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act includes a mandate for the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to combat child marriage.
• Collaboration between the Obama Administration and Congress is crucial in developing and funding strategies to address child marriage, particularly in times of fiscal constraints.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the scope of child marriage globally?

Child marriage is a significant global issue, with the United Nations estimating that one in three women aged twenty to twenty-four was married under the age of eighteen. This practice occurs across various regions, cultures, and religions, with India accounting for forty percent of the world's known child brides.

Q: How does child marriage impact U.S. interests?

Child marriage undermines U.S. interests by affecting development, prosperity, and stability. It curtails education for young girls, stifling economic progress. Additionally, it is associated with instability, as many countries with high prevalence are fragile states or at high risk of natural disasters, exacerbating poverty and instability.

Q: What recent legislative actions have been taken in the U.S. regarding child marriage?

In March, Congress enacted a provision in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, requiring the Secretary of State to develop a U.S. strategy to combat child marriage. This legislative action elevates the issue on the U.S. foreign policy agenda, emphasizing the need for a strategic approach.

Q: Why is ending child marriage considered a strategic imperative?

Ending child marriage is a strategic imperative because it aligns with U.S. interests in fostering global development, prosperity, and stability. The practice is a violation of human rights, impacting education and economic potential, and is linked to instability, affecting fragile states and regions at risk of natural disasters.

Q: What are some challenges in addressing child marriage?

Addressing child marriage involves overcoming cultural, religious, and regional barriers. It requires international cooperation and strategic planning, particularly in fragile states. Developing and funding effective strategies in times of fiscal austerity is a significant challenge for policymakers and requires collaboration between governments and organizations.

Q: How does child marriage affect economic growth?

Child marriage affects economic growth by curtailing education for young girls, limiting their economic potential. This lack of education stifles economic progress in affected regions, as educated women are more likely to contribute positively to the economy, leading to improved development and prosperity.

Q: What regions are most affected by child marriage?

Child marriage is prevalent in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. India accounts for a significant proportion, with forty percent of the world's known child brides. The practice is widespread across various cultures and religions, highlighting a global human rights issue.

Q: What is the role of the Obama Administration in combating child marriage?

The Obama Administration, alongside Congress, plays a crucial role in developing and funding strategies to combat child marriage. This involves implementing the provision in the Violence Against Women Act and collaborating with international partners to address the issue strategically, particularly in times of fiscal constraints.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Child marriage is a critical global issue, with predictions that fifty million girls could be married before age fifteen by 2020. It is prevalent across regions, particularly in India, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, affecting education and economic growth.

• The practice of child marriage undermines U.S. interests in development, prosperity, and stability. It is linked to economic stagnation and instability, with many affected countries being fragile states or at risk of natural disasters.

• U.S. lawmakers have recognized the importance of addressing child marriage, incorporating it into the Violence Against Women Act. A strategic approach is needed to combat this issue, with collaboration between the Obama Administration and Congress being essential.