Connections Between Climate Change and Child Marriage

Child marriage happens in many places around the world. In fact, about 10% of the global population has been married before they turn 18.  And while some of these marriages are driven by mutual choice and respect, in other cases, particularly when one party has been forced into the marriage, exploitation and coercion within the marriage can make it synonymous with slavery. When factors such as poverty and the environment are present, distinguishing the point at which child marriage becomes child slavery is tricky.

At Walk Free, we look for a number of indicators that help us decide when child marriage is slavery. For example when a child is given in marriage against his or her will; is subjected to control, a sense of “ownership” through abuse and threats, and is exploited for their labour and/or non-consensual sexual activity once within a marriage; and the inability of a child to leave a marriage he or she no longer wishes to remain in. The younger a child is, the more vulnerable they are to being enslaved through the practice of child marriage. 

Unfortunately, it’s not just girls in Bangladesh like Brishti and Razia who are struggling with the pressures of forced marriage brought about by climate change. It affects many others around the world too.

(original source: WalkFree)