UNICEF: 115 million men got married in their childhood, including 23 million before the age of 15

Women and miscellaneous

(Reuters) – An estimated 115 million boys and men worldwide have married as children, 23 million of them before the age of 15, UNICEF said, according to the first ever analysis of child care launched by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Based on data from 82 countries, the in-depth study revealed that the total estimated number of child marriages was 765 million, according to the UN website, Sky News reported Saturday. .

"Marriage is stealing children and the bride and groom are forced to assume responsibilities that adults may not be prepared for," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fur.", And the study revealed that male child marriage is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, South and East Asia and the Pacific.

According to the data, 28 percent of males in the Central African Republic married when they were children, ranking first in the marriage of male children. Nicaragua ranked second and Madagascar ranked third with 13%.

Despite the new information, girls continue to be disproportionately affected by this phenomenon. One in five young women between the ages of 20 and 24 married before the age of 18, compared to one in 30 young men.

While the prevalence, causes and impact of child marriage among girls has been widely studied, there is little research on child marriage among boys. However, it is clear that the most vulnerable children are among the poorest, often living in rural areas and not adequately educated.

"As we celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we must remember that the marriage of boys and girls in children still conflicts with the rights enshrined in the Convention," she said. "Through further research Investment and empowerment, we can end this violation".

(tt) Child rights (t) United Nations (t) Rights of the child (t) Central African Republic (t) Latin America (t) Violation of the rights of the child