Albania says no to Child Marriage

Tirana 11 October, 2017- On the International Day of the Girl Child, two United Nations agencies - UNFPA & UNICEF - along with Librazhd municipality kicked off a women’s health awareness month to say “NO” to child marriage. Local stakeholders indicate that child marriage has increased in Librazhd in the past few years. 

Although Albania is committed to end child marriage by 2030, as set out in Goal 5.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), the national policy framework does not contain any specific actions to respond to this violation of child rights.  

Time to act is now. This advocacy event will aim to increase awareness, coordinate efforts among key local actors and reinforce the message on the urgent need for Albania to strengthen the legal framework against child marriage and develop appropriate policies at central and local government to adequately address the issue. Increasing girls’ access to education and healthcare, involving and educating parents and families about the risks of child marriage, increasing economic support to and investment in adolescent girls, and strengthening the enforcement of laws are crucial measures to reduce child marriage and ensure protection of equal rights for boys and girls.                                          

Globally, girls married under the age of 18 are more likely to face social and health problems. They are likely to have lower education levels, be unemployed, experience violence, abuse and forced sexual relations, have restricted access to legal support and experience isolation and psychosocial problems. 

In Albania, the most recent studies conducted by the Observatory for Children’s Rights in Korça, and Vlora reveal that contrary to some beliefs, child marriage does not help girls escape the cycle of poverty, but makes them and their children even poorer: Over 70 percent of the married girls have only completed primary education and quite as many are unable to find a job; Over 10 percent of them divorce a few years after getting married; 64 percent give birth prior to reaching adulthood.

The United Nations in Albania are partnering with ACT for Society and the Observatory for Children’s Rights – members of the “Youth Voice” CSO platform - to promote the rights of girls in Albania.