Child Marriage in Southern Asia

Child marriage is not only a violation of a girl’s rights; it also seriously compromises efforts to reduce gender-based violence, advance education, overcome poverty and improve health indicators. Child brides in Southern Asia are often forced into early sexual activity and therefore early childbearing. Because their bodies are not yet fully developed, these young adolescents are at much greater risk of suffering life-threatening or debilitating conditions as a result of childbirth like obstetric fistula and hemorrhaging, or even death.