Increase in Teenage Marriages Linked to Severe Weather: Study
New research conducted by Ohio State University has revealed an unexpected correlation between severe weather events and an increase in teenage marriages in low- and middle-income countries. The study, which analyzed 20 previously published studies, found compelling evidence linking droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events to child, early, and forced marriages.
Lead author Fiona Doherty, a doctoral candidate in social work at Ohio State, emphasized that severe weather does not directly cause child marriages. Instead, these disasters exacerbate existing issues of gender inequality and poverty, leading families to view child marriage as a coping mechanism. The findings of the study were recently published in the journal International Social Work.
Globally, around one in five girls is married before the age of 18. In lower- and middle-income countries, this number rises to a staggering 40%. With the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change, study co-author Smitha Rao, assistant professor of social work at Ohio State, suggests that these numbers may further escalate.
The research primarily focused on low- and middle-income countries in Asia and Africa, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Nepal, and Vietnam. The most common disasters examined were droughts and floods, although other studies explored the impact of cyclones and high temperature shocks. The studies shed light on various contexts in which disasters contribute to child marriages.
For instance, in Bangladesh, a study found that during heat waves lasting more than 30 days, girls between the ages of 11 and 14 were 50% more likely to be married, while girls aged 15-17 were 30% more likely. The economic implications highlight one of the main reasons for child marriages – as a strategy to alleviate economic vulnerability and food insecurity caused by disasters.
Researchers also discussed the influence of regional customs such as bride price and dowry on child marriages during extreme weather events. In areas where bride price is practiced, such as sub-Saharan Africa and Vietnam, girls face an increased risk of forced marriage during droughts and heavy rainfall. Conversely, in regions like India where dowry is prevalent, drought years led to a decrease in marriages, likely due to the bride’s family’s inability to afford dowry payments.
The study also uncovered additional factors contributing to child marriages during weather disasters. Communities displaced by floods, cyclones, and other disasters often end up in camps where young girls become targets of sexual harassment and violence. Consequently, some families opt to marry off their young daughters to safeguard them from these threats.
Nevertheless, education emerged as a crucial factor in protecting girls from early marriages. The research indicated that educated girls were less likely to enter into child marriages, and as parental education levels increased, they were also less inclined to marry off their daughters. It is evident that empowering women and girls through education and financial control is essential in combating child marriage.
While the study exclusively focused on low- and middle-income countries, the researchers believe that weather disasters could also contribute to child marriage in high-income countries, including the United States. Further research is needed to understand the intricacies and additional factors affecting the link between extreme weather events and child marriage across different parts of the world.
In conclusion, the study highlights the urgent need for action to address the underlying issues of gender inequality, poverty, and lack of education that contribute to child marriages. Implementing legislation against child marriage, supporting families facing economic difficulties, and empowering women and girls are crucial steps towards eliminating this harmful practice. As weather disasters become more frequent and severe due to climate change, tackling the impact on child marriages becomes increasingly imperative.
