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UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres issued a message on the occasion of the start of “16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-based Violence” campaign.

“On 25 November 2014 UNHCR marked the start of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) campaign, which will run until 10 December. This year, UNHCR has adopted the theme ‘Protecting Rights and Preserving Childhoods: Working Together to Address Child Marriage.’ Though child marriage is underreported and concrete numbers are difficult to obtain, estimates are distressingly high. It is commonly estimated that 15 million girls are married under the age of 18 every year.

Child marriage takes place in many countries around the world where UNHCR operates, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Middle East and North Africa. Some displaced people practiced child marriage before they fled their homes, and the tradition continues. Others feel they have little choice owing to the pressures and insecurity they face: marriage is seen as a way to protect children or as a means of alleviating economic hardship.

Marrying at an early age can have a devastating impact on a child’s life. Though some boys are also married as children – which can place adult burdens on their shoulders and interrupt their education – this is predominantly a problem facing girls. Below the age of 18, girls are neither physically nor emotionally ready to become wives and mothers. They are more susceptible to domestic violence, including sexual violence, particularly owing to the power imbalance between a girl and an older man. Married girls are frequently denied the opportunity to go to school: their families see little value in education once they are married. Not only does this deprive girls of the opportunity to learn and socialize with their peers, it makes them dependent on their husbands, further exposes them to abuse, and limits their future prospects.

Adolescent girls who become pregnant are at high risk of maternal mortality and other complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Still children themselves, they may also lack the knowledge or capacity to raise their own children, with serious repercussions for their health and wellbeing. Child marriages are frequently not legally registered, which can be an impediment to birth registration, resulting in additional protection risks.

As part of the 16 Days campaign, UNHCR offices around the world have collected drawings and stories from children depicting their opinions, fears and experiences of child marriage. The overwhelming message is that children do not want to marry – they want to embrace their childhoods and continue with their schooling, and they fear being exposed to abuse. A selection of these drawings and stories will be displayed in Headquarters during the campaign.

I am impressed by how actively engaged UNHCR staff have already been in this important campaign, and I applaud the wide range of activities that have been planned to raise awareness about this critical issue. Given that child marriage is a deeply rooted practice, UNHCR must continue to work closely with communities, community leaders, and health and education actors to spread awareness about its risks and about the benefits of keeping children in school and delaying marriage until their adult years.

We must advocate with governments for child marriage to be prohibited by law, and for this to be effectively enforced. Skills and vocational training for children-at-risk, as well as income-generating activities for their families, can help to prevent child marriage. Owing to the link between SGBV and power relations, the empowerment of women at all levels is essential to protect the rights of girls. Providing support to girls who have married young is also crucial.

Child marriage violates rights and denies opportunities. In addition to raising awareness about the risk associated with child marriage, I encourage all staff to use the 16 Days of Activism campaign to work closely with communities to find ways to protect the rights of girls and improve their access to education, giving them the chance for a brighter future”.

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