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24/11/2020 | Indicator
Physical Autonomy

Child marriage
Strategic Partner
UNICEF
UNICEF para cada infancia
Proportion of women aged 20 to 24 who were married or in union before the ages of 15 and 18. The result is expressed as a percentage. The data source is the UN SDG database, based on Demographic and Health Surveys, Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, and other sources. Depending on the country, data is available from 2003 to the most recent year.

Analysis

Child marriage and early unions are a harmful practice that violates the human rights of children and adolescents, exposing them—especially girls—to health and life risks while limiting their overall development. These practices are associated with early motherhood, school dropout, lower participation in the labor market as adults, a higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence, and a lack of autonomy in making decisions about their bodies and lives.

This indicator is part of Target 5.3: "Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation" of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls."