Can we end this nightmare in one generation? Experts think that child marriage could rise as we face a global climate crisis. Three of the world’s most powerful women want to make sure it does not happen.
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40m girls face forced child marriage by 2050
Can we end this nightmare in one generation? Experts think that child marriage could rise as we face a global climate crisis. Three of the world's most powerful women want to make sure it does not happen.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>
"I told them I would rather die than live with this man," said one 15-year-old from EthiopiaA landlocked country in Africa. With a population of about 120 million, Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures.. She was forced to marry an older man after her family lost their home to droughtA time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry. .
Today, around 12 million girls and teens are becoming brides each year.
Girls who marry before the age of 18 are more likely to experience violence in the home and less likely to finish school.
New research suggests that 40 million girls could be forced into child marriage by 2050 due to the climate crisisAs humans release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (such as by burning fossil fuels), this slowly raises the Earth's average temperature. In addition to global warming, this also makes extreme weather more likely. .
The link between climate change and child marriage may not be easy to see. But girls are often sold into marriage by poor families trying to afford food and other basic supplies.
As climate change worsens and more families are pushed into poverty, the number of forced marriages is expected to rise.
There is hope. Three of the world's most powerful women - Michelle Obama, Amal ClooneyA lawyer who specialises in human rights. and Melinda French GatesAn American philanthropist. She is the ex-wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates. - are working together to solve the problem.
Can we end this nightmare in one generation?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>
Yes! With the right laws and the right support for families, child marriage could end very soon. We know what girls need to stay in school.
No! There are many reasons for child marriage. It is not all about money. It will take a long time to change people's minds around the world. And helping out families with money is not easy anyway.
Ethiopia - A landlocked country in Africa. With a population of about 120 million, Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures.
Drought - A time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry.
Climate crisis - As humans release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (such as by burning fossil fuels), this slowly raises the Earth's average temperature. In addition to global warming, this also makes extreme weather more likely.
Amal Clooney - A lawyer who specialises in human rights.
Melinda French Gates - An American philanthropist. She is the ex-wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
40m girls face forced child marriage by 2050
Power of three: Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney and Melinda French Gates (left to right) announced their collaboration to end child marriage. Glossary
Ethiopia - A landlocked country in Africa. With a population of about 120 million, Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures.
Drought - A time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry.
Climate crisis - As humans release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (such as by burning fossil fuels), this slowly raises the Earth's average temperature. In addition to global warming, this also makes extreme weather more likely.
Amal Clooney - A lawyer who specialises in human rights.
Melinda French Gates - An American philanthropist. She is the ex-wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates.