Child Marriage Facts and Figures. International Center For Research On Women

This page on the website of the International Center for Research on Women discusses some of the consequences of child marriage as well as factors that can contribute to decreasing child marriage globally. They report that over one third of girls around the world are married before they turn 18, which, if trends continue, is roughly 15 million girls each year. Low levels of education and poverty are highly correlated with increased risk of child marriage. Among the short term and long-term impacts of child marriage on girls are increased health risks HIV and other STIs as well as pregnancy, which has become one of the leading causes of death for girls between 15 and 19. Girls who marry before 18 are also more likely to experience domestic violence, sexual abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder than girls who marry later.