Gospel for Asia

Child marriages have been common throughout history. For much of history, especially before the industrial revolution, girls were wed right after puberty. Men, however, were wed at an older age since they were expected to be able to support a family. When they had accumulated enough financial resources, they often married an adolescent girl. In ancient times and medieval societies, children were married even before puberty. When studying the history of child marriage, it is essential to remember that life expectancy was much shorter in the past, so child marriages provided valuable years for reproduction. In the 20th century, women began receiving a more consistent education and entering the workforce. Life expectancy improved and the culture around child marriage began to fade. Over time, public acceptance of the practice began to be questioned. In 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This outlawed the forced marriage of children. In 2012, the first Internat...

In each community where GFA World works, we share the mission of ending child marriage. We work in some of Asia’s poorest communities, and in parts of Africa. We help provide these communities with positive alternatives that help people break the cycle of poverty. In developed and stable communities, girls can go to school, eat nutritious food, enjoy their culture and discover hobbies. In communities that are struggling with poverty, however, girls struggle to survive. They often face abuse, discrimination and neglect, and sometimes child marriage. GFA World offers numerous programs to help alleviate poverty in these communities, which reduces the likelihood that a child will be forced into marriage. Some include the following: Poverty Alleviation – When the basic needs of people are met, there is more time for education. When a family is gifted an income-generating gift such as a farm animal, they have food to eat and something to sell in the market. With poverty alleviation, they are...

Child marriage is a violation of human rights. Here is a brief look at child marriage statistics and the resulting impact: A 2018 UNICEF report states that, at the time, there were 650 million child brides worldwide. This number includes girls 18 and under who were already married and adult women who married in childhood. 1 UNICEF also estimates that 45 percent of women in South Asia aged 20–24 were married before the age of 18, while a fifth were married before the age of 15. 2 According to the United Nations, 37,000 girls under the age of 18 are married each day. 3 According to the International Women’s Health Coalition, girls under 15 years old are five times more likely to die in childbirth than women in their 20s. They also face a higher risk of pregnancy-related injuries, such as obstetric fistula. 4 The highest instances of child marriage happen in the following countries: Niger, Central African Republic, Chad, Bangladesh, Mali, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Guinea and ...

Child marriage is a substantial issue in many parts of the world. In 2018, a UNICEF report estimated there were 650 million child brides worldwide. That statistic includes girls under the age of 18 who were already married and adult women who married in childhood. 1 Getting married as a child subjects girls to mental and physical danger. Often, child brides are raped and abused, and they often give birth in their early teenage years. Since many of these girls suffer from malnutrition, the stress of childbirth threatens their lives and the lives of their babies. Girls who give birth at a young age can face a host of complications, including miscarriage, obstetric fistula—and death. 2 “Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death in young women aged 15–19. Young girls who marry later and delay pregnancy beyond their adolescence have more chances to stay healthier, to better their education and build a better life for themselves and their families.” 3 - Dr. Fla...