Young mothers and their babies: rights put at risk by child marriage
Child marriage often leads to early motherhood. A girl who is still a child herself may suddenly be responsible for a baby. Mother and child then face risks that could have been avoided.
Risks for the young mother
- Health. Her body is still growing, and pregnancy and childbirth can be dangerous.
- Education. Caring for a baby often ends her schooling.
- Dependence. Without education or income, she depends on others for everything.
Risks for the baby
A baby born to a very young mother may face greater health risks. If the marriage was not registered, it may also be hard to obtain a birth certificate and other official papers.
Without these documents, a child can find it hard to prove who their parents are, to go to school, to receive health care or to inherit. Disputes over parentage can leave mother and child without support.
Rights that must be protected
Every child has the right to a name, an identity and the care of both parents. Every mother has the right to health care and to be treated with dignity, whatever her age.
What helps
- Registering every marriage and every birth.
- Health care and advice for young mothers.
- A way back to school or training for girls who became mothers early.
- Legal help for mothers and children whose rights are denied.
The best protection is to prevent child marriage in the first place, so that a girl becomes a mother only when she is ready and has chosen to.