Skip Navigation

CHILD MARRIAGE

In Afghanistan, a girl stands smiling at the camera, outdoors with her classmates in the schoolyard behind her wearing blue UNICEF backpacks.

CHILD MARRIAGE

Child marriage, also known as early marriage, robs girls of their childhood and threatens their well-being. Girls who marry before 18 are more likely to experience domestic violence, be less educated and have worse health than those who are unmarried at that age. UNICEF works with our partners to help empower young girls and identify and address the systemic barriers to gender equality.