Child Marriage around the world

Each year around the world, 15 million girls are married before the age of 18; these girls are married off too early.

On December 19, 2011, United National General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ right and the unique challenges girls face around the world.[1]

On October 11th, 2017, the world celebrated the International Day of Girls, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced Canada’s pursuit of feminine development policy. This announcement is to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls because it is the most effective way to reduce poverty and build a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous world.[2]

Canada is working with UN agencies, and other international and regional organizations to raise awareness and take action to protect girls around the world. In 2013 and 2014, Canada and Zambia developed and passed the first-ever United Nations General Assembly resolution on early, child and forced marriage.[3]

Furthermore, in 2013 and 2015, Canada worked with other countries to develop and sponsor resolutions on eliminating this harmful practice at the Human Rights Council.[4]

In September 2015, a set of Sustainable Development Goals adopted by countries includes a target to end child, early and forced marriage, and to reach this target, Canada has engaged in 1) raising awareness about child, early and forced marriage, 2) investing in projects that prevent the practice and to support girls and women who are already married and, 3) building partnership to ensure that we fully implement the 2030 Agenda.[5]

The child marriage in the rural area of Niger, as the rate of child marriage is predominant.

The link between education and the prevalence of child marriage is particularly evident in Niger: 81% of women aged 20-24 with no education and 63% with only primary education were married or in union at age 18, compared to only 17% of women with secondary education or higher. Among these number, 36 percent of girls are married before 15.

First of all, Global Affairs Canada must have more ties with local organizations present in the rural area of Niger. More interaction with local staffs in organizations such as World Vision, Red Cross, or even religious organizations will facilitate interaction with parents and children from the poorer families. Interaction with parents and children will be effective in reducing the number of child marriage.

[1] UN, International Day of Child, www.un.org/en/events/girlchild/background.shtml, Accessed 19 Oct, 2017

[2] Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2017/10/11/statement-prime-minister-international-day-girl, accessed 19 Oct, 2017

[3] Government of Canada, http://international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/human_rights-droits_homme/child_marriage-mariages_enfants.aspx?lang=eng, accessed 19 Oct, 2017

[4] Ibid

[5] Government of Canada, http://international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/human_rights-droits_homme/child_marriage-mariages_enfants.aspx?lang=eng, accessed 19 Oct, 2017