GLOBAL REPORT EXPOSES THE LASTING IMPACT OF CHILD MARRIAGE ON GIRLS' LIVES

Participants during the Plan International event reflect on the findings of the global report and call for stronger action to end child marriage.

By: Gladys K

A new global study by Plan International has revealed the devastating consequences of child marriage, showing how the practice continues to rob millions of girls of their rights, safety, and dreams.

The State of the World’s Girls Report 2025, titled “Let Me Be a Child, Not a Wife Girls’ Experiences of Living Through Child Marriage”, captures the voices of more than 250 girls and young women from 15 countries who were married or in informal unions before turning 18. Their stories shed light on the deep emotional, physical, and social harm caused by early marriage and the struggles they endure as a result.

“I was married off at a young age. I couldn’t study or achieve anything  I was denied every opportunity. But I’ll make sure my daughter has a better life. I want her to go to school and get a job,” said Juna, 24, from Nepal. “Early marriage only leads to a dark future.”

Despite being prohibited by law in most countries, about 12 million girls are still married every year before their 18th birthday, according to UNICEF.

The report highlights that many girls are married off because of poverty, family pressure, or social expectations. These deeply rooted traditions, which value girls mainly as wives and mothers, continue to deny them education, independence, and a say in their own lives.

A significant number of the girls interviewed described how their marriages exposed them to violence and abuse. Over one in ten (13%) reported physical or emotional violence from their partners most of whom were older men. In fact, nearly half of the girls said their husbands were at least five years older, and some were more than 20 years older.

Bupe, from Zambia, who married at 15 and is now 19, shared her painful experience:

“He used to threaten me, and if I ever spoke out, he would beat me. I stayed quiet because I was scared of what he would do.”

The research also found that early marriage forces girls to give up their education, cutting off their path to financial independence. Over one-third (35%) of the girls left school after marriage, while 63% are not working, studying, or training today.

Most participants said they had no control over decisions about their bodies or families. Many were pressured to have children soon after marriage, while access to health services and contraception was limited. Girls also reported struggling with loneliness, depression, and anxiety as they tried to cope with adult responsibilities at a young age.

The report further reveals that online spaces are becoming new platforms for exploitation. In parts of Asia and Latin America, older men have been targeting vulnerable girls through social media, promising love and financial security as a way out of poverty only to lure them into early unions.

While child marriage is illegal in 14 out of the 15 countries studied, poor law enforcement, cultural acceptance, and legal loopholes continue to allow the practice to thrive. In several nations, the legal age for girls to marry is lower than for boys, and local judges or guardians can still approve underage marriages.

Reena Ghelani, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International, said the report amplifies voices that have long been silenced.

“This study exposes the harsh truth of child marriage and gives girls the platform to speak for themselves,” she said. “Child marriage strips girls of their choices, their education, and their safety. Progress remains too slow, and laws are still failing to protect them.”

Ghelani urged for greater investment in programmes that challenge harmful beliefs, strengthen laws, and expand access to education and online safety for girls.

“Child marriage should never be considered normal. It is a violation of rights. Every girl deserves the freedom to decide her own future, and we will not stop until that becomes reality,” she affirmed.

For over 85 years, Plan International has been championing the rights of children and promoting equality for girls across more than 80 countries. The organization continues to work with partners, communities, and governments to end child marriage and ensure every girl can live, learn, and thrive.