Don’t Force Me! A policy brief on early and forced marriage – Islamic Relief, 2019

Abstract

Prevalence and Consequences Early and forced marriage is a widespread practice, affecting an estimated 15 million girls worldwide each year. The consequences of this practice are severe, including loss of education and economic opportunities, increased risk of domestic violence, abuse, and exploitation, limited access to healthcare and reproductive services, higher risk of maternal mortality and child mortality.
The brief emphasizes the need for strong legal and policy frameworks to prevent early and forced marriage. It highlights the importance of:
• Increasing the minimum age of marriage to 18 years old
• Strengthening laws and policies to prevent child marriage
• Providing education and vocational training for girls
• Supporting community-based initiatives to address the root causes of early and forced marriage
Recommendations To prevent early and forced marriage and support survivors, the brief offers several recommendations for policymakers, healthcare providers, and community leaders:
• Develop comprehensive national plans to address early and forced marriage
• Increase awareness and education on the harmful effects of early and forced marriage
• Provide access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for girls
• Support community-based initiatives to address the root causes of early and forced marriage
• Develop policies and programs to protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable