Child marriage actually increases exposure to sexual coercion, physical violence and marital rape. Therefore, the ideal is to work with couples and in-laws in the communities to inform them about the health, social and economic benefits of late motherhood and improved birth spacing. Brides represent the largest percentage of sexually active youth and have the lowest rates of contraception and condom use. Brides know less about HIV/AIDS, are less able to negotiate condom use than their unmarried.

Challenge

Our project pays greater attention to girls who are victims of child marriage & girls at risk of child marriage because they are the ones left out of the Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS prevention programmes,which mainly benefit young unmarried girls or young people who are not married.The majority of unprotected sex occurs among married adolescents.Brides have low levels of education, few means of earning a living.Brides have higher rates of AIDS infection than unmarried,sexually active girls.

Long-Term Impact

Forced sex among girl-wives is reduced, Unsafe abortions among adolescents are reduced, The number of early pregnancies is reduced, Barriers to attendance at health and reproductive services are reduced, and attendance of Brides at health services has increased, Gender norms and stereotypes against women and girls are challenged.

References