3 countries, a notorious list

How young is too young to marry? 16? 14? What about 12?

Marriage this young is reality for millions of girls.

In South Asia, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal made the UNICEF ‘top 10 list’ of countries with the highest percentage of child marriage.

Why does this happen? It often comes down to poverty and societal pressure or traditional practices. World Vision Child Protection teams work through multiple channels against early marriage – child youth groups, advocacy, and Men Care Groups, to name a few.

The United Nations commemorates World Day on Social Justice on 20 February, so we want to take a closer look at this important social justice issue - child marriage - and how World Vision is working in communities to help bring change.

India

Meet Reshma, Rani, Kiran and Rita- all married before their 18th birthday and the effects it has on their lives.

Geeta was married at 14. Learn about some of the issues that lead to early marriage.

A World Vision supported Men Care Group is changing the hearts and minds about the treatment of women and girls.

Bangladesh

Rani's story doesn’t have a happy ending, but to help prevent early marriage World Vision is partnering with the Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission to educate communities.

Nilanjona escaped an early marriage. Her story.

Sanjida is only 10 years old, but leading the charge against child marriage in her community

Nepal

A World Vision supported Village Child Protection and Promotion Committee is supporting the rights of girls.

WATCH "Who will stop child marriage?" An advocacy video produced by World Vision Nepal talks about real life examples of early marriage and the community-level work being done to reduce the numbers.

Interested in more information?

World Vision is a partner of Girls Not Brides, a global partnership of more than 550 civil society organisations committed to ending child marriage and enabling girls to fulfil their potential.