Ending Child Marriage and Promoting Girls’ Education Key to Reducing Maternal Deaths
The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that child marriage is a major cause of maternal deaths, emphasizing that sending girls to school and ending early marriages can significantly reduce these fatalities.
**Severe Physical and Psychological Impacts of Early Pregnancy**
According to international media reports, Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO, stated that early pregnancies have severe physical and psychological effects on young girls. These often stem from deep-rooted inequalities, affecting their family and social relationships and shaping the course of their lives.
**Positive Progress**
A report published by German media noted positive global progress in reducing child marriages. In 2021, one in every 25 girls gave birth before the age of 20, compared to one in 15 in 2001. However, large disparities remain, with some countries still recording that one in every 10 girls aged 15 to 19 gives birth.
**Over 21 Million Young Girls Become Pregnant Annually**
The report also pointed out that in low- and middle-income countries, over 21 million young girls become pregnant each year. Alarmingly, 90% of these births occur among girls married before the age of 18.
**Loss of Childhood and Health Risks**
Dr. Shireen Bastian, a scientist at WHO specializing in adult sexual and reproductive health, said child marriage deprives girls of their childhood and negatively impacts their health. Early pregnancy carries serious medical risks, including infections, complications, and a high rate of premature births.
**Cycle of Poverty for Young Mothers**
Early marriage and pregnancy also disrupt girls’ education and limit employment opportunities, often trapping young mothers in poverty, she added.
**The Role of Education**
WHO emphasized that pregnancy is the leading cause of death among girls aged 15 to 19. Sending girls to school and ending child marriage can drastically lower maternal mortality rates.
According to UNICEF, ensuring secondary education for all girls could lead to a two-thirds reduction in child marriages. UNICEF stressed the importance of education for a better future for girls and urged efforts to promote mutual consent in relationships and tackle gender inequality, which remains a major driver of child marriage and early pregnancy worldwide.
