Violence at home: why child brides face greater danger
Marriage should be a partnership between two adults who choose each other freely. When a child is married, that balance is missing from the start. This makes violence at home more likely.
Why child brides are at greater risk
- A large gap in age and power. A child married to an adult has little say in decisions.
- Isolation. She may live far from her family and friends, with no one to confide in.
- Little knowledge of her rights. She may not know that violence is wrong, or that help exists.
- Dependence. Without education or income, leaving a harmful situation is very hard.
Forms of violence
Violence is not only physical. It can include insults, threats, control over money or movement, and forced sexual relations. A child cannot give real consent to marriage, or to what follows it.
Lasting harm
Violence can damage a girl's health, her mind and her trust in others. It can also affect her children, who grow up surrounded by fear.
What protects girls
- Laws that set a clear minimum age of marriage and make violence at home a crime.
- Services where girls and women can find safety, advice and care.
- Schools, health workers and neighbours who notice the signs and know where to turn.
- Awareness that helps families see that early marriage does not protect their daughter.
No girl should face violence in the place that should be her home. Waiting until adulthood to marry is one of the surest ways to protect her.