Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New York (Agenzia Fides) - The U.S. Senate recently adopted the 'International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act', against the premature marriage of under age girls which often causes death. In many developing countries, in fact, the main causes of deaths among adolescent girls are complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. For girls forced into marriage at age 14 or earlier, the possibility of dying during pregnancy or at delivery is five times higher in respect to those who marry between 20 and 24 years of age. In addition, premature marriage carries a high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. A study carried out on girls aged 15 to 19 years in Kisumu, Kenya, revealed that about 33% of married women are HIV positive, compared to 22.3% of their peers who are sexually active, but unmarried. Worldwide, there are over 60 million girls between 20 and 24 who were married before the age of 18. Premature and forced marriages are considered a form of violence against women and a violation of their rights.
According to activists from the International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC), a proper education is lacking. Myths and preconceptions must be broken among the many families who see their daughters as an economic burden, or of no value compared to their sons. Some also are concerned that their daughters may become pregnant before marriage and therefore consider that early marriage may be the solution. In Asia, Africa and Latin America, the organization is working with local communities to prevent or eliminate this form of marriage. In Cameroon and Nigeria, for example, partners of IWHC are promoting incentives and campaigns for the abolition of premature marriage. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 17/12/2010)
