Economic impacts of child marriage : issues of sustainable development goals (SDGS)

Abstract

This study investigated economic impacts of child marriage as direct violation of the issues of sustainable development goals (SDGs). The specific objectives of this study were: participation and decision-making, educational attainment, labour force participation, violence, and health. It also looked at the existing link between child marriage and SDGs. This study used desk review methodology to review existing published and grey literature. Simple inclusion criteria for the search created a comprehensive list of data sources, including data from peer-reviewed journals, grey literature and other sources. Most documents included in this review consisted of grey literature publications such as reports by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Population Council, Human Rights Watch, Girls Not Brides, Equality Now, Plan International, the World Bank and International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). The following key search terms were included: child marriage; early marriage; forced marriage; child brides; girls’ decision making; sustainable development goals (SDGs); education attainment; work labour participation; health knowledge; violence against girls; age at first marriage. The search then prioritized the inclusion of documents that provided detail on programming and policy efforts to address child marriage, and noted key documents that provide insight into the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of the practice. The study findings revealed that child marriage directly hinders the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). It exposes them to violence throughout their lives and traps them in a cycle of poverty. It is recommended that ending child marriage requires an integrated and coordinated approach involving Government, International Partners and local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). This study concludes that with the full commitment of governments, development practitioners, civil societies, communities, families and girls themselves, a world without child marriage can become a reality