Child, early and forced marriages and unions deepen gender inequalities

Child, early and forced marriages and unions constitute a violation of the human rights of children and adolescents and a harmful practice that disproportionately and persistently affects girls. They are the cause and consequence of a limited physical, economic and decision-making autonomies of women in societies, deepening gender inequality for girls, adolescents and women and are linked to violence, poverty, school drop-out and teenage pregnancy. Its impact goes beyond girls, perpetuating the intergenerational transmission of poverty, affecting their families and the development of communities and countries.