A Profile of Child Marriage

Middle East and North Africa

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UNICEF/Middle East and North Africa/2018

Highlights

Child marriage is a violation of human rights. Every child in the Middle East and North Africa has the right to be protected from this harmful practice, which has devastating consequences for girls and for society. Child marriage is now firmly on the global development agenda, most prominently through its inclusion in Sustainable Development Goal target 5.3, to eliminate the practice by 2030.

The world is home to 650 million child brides including currently married girls and women who were first married in childhood.

The Middle East and North Africa is home to nearly 40 million child brides including currently married girls and women who were first married in childhood.

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Author(s)
UNICEF Middle East and North Africa
Publication date
Languages
English