UNICEF: Education averts 68m child marriages

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says investments in education have helped prevent an estimated 68 million child marriages globally over the past 25 years.

The agency attributed the progress to girls’ education, legal reforms and social protection, stressing the need to sustain efforts to protect girls’ rights.

UNICEF stated this in a message to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on Oct. 11.

It called for increased access to education, healthcare and social services, as well as stronger collaboration with families and communities to address harmful practices.

The agency also urged governments and stakeholders to invest in girls’ rights and leadership, saying educated, safe and empowered girls contribute to healthier families, stronger communities and peaceful societies.

Despite the progress, UNICEF’s 2026 estimates indicate that one in five girls worldwide is married before the age of 18.

This represents approximately 650 million women and girls alive today who were married during childhood.

The agency said more than 12 million girls were married annually before turning 18, with sub-Saharan Africa recording the highest prevalence at 31 per cent.

It warned that child marriage deprives girls of opportunities to complete their education, protect their health and live free from violence.

UNICEF further disclosed that nearly one in four ever-married or partnered girls aged 15 to 19 had experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

It added that crises, conflicts and displacement continued to expose girls to increased risks of child marriage, sexual violence and maternal mortality.

According to the agency, girls aged 15 to 19 were twice as likely as boys to be out of education, employment or training.

In fragile, conflict and violence-affected settings, girls were nearly 90 per cent more likely to be out of secondary school than their counterparts in stable environments.

UNICEF warned that limited access to education increased girls’ vulnerability to early marriage and other forms of abuse.

It also noted that child marriage could have lasting consequences for girls’ physical and mental health, including social isolation, anxiety and emotional distress.

The agency said these challenges were particularly concerning because self-harm remained one of the leading causes of death among adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 globally.

UNICEF called for accelerated action to end child marriage, emphasising that every girl deserved the opportunity to learn, grow, make informed choices and determine her future.

It said sustained investment in girls’ education, protection and empowerment remained critical to advancing their rights and preventing child marriage worldwide.