Child marriage is a violation of children’s human rights. Despite being
prohibited by international human rights law and many national laws,
child marriage continues to rob millions of girls around the world of their
childhood. It forces them out of education and into a life of poor prospects,
with increased risk of violence, abuse, ill health or early death. While boys are
also married as children, child marriage affects girls in greater numbers and
with consequences which can be devastating for their health and well-being.