37,000 child marriages hold daily worldwide, says group

Development Communication (DEVCOMS) Networks, a media development Non Governmental Organization (NGO) has reiterated that about 37,000-child marriages take place each day around the world in spite of various prohibitions.

The programme officer of DEVCOMS, Mrs. Abiodun Owo in a statement said, the practice which has become widespread around the globe has resulted in early pregnancy and debilitating conditions from childbirth among teenage girls who are mostly the victims.

She said studies have shown that around the world, 10 per cent of girls have been initiated to sex before the age of 15.Owo advanced that the outcome has exposed many teenage girls to unnecessary risks, as about 3.2 million of them have gone through unsafe abortion globally.

The second leading cause of death among girls between the ages of 15 and 19 is complication from pregnancy and childbirth, she added.Against this backdrop, the theme of this year’s World Population Day ‘Investing in Teenage Girls’ draws attention to the numerous challenges faced by teenage girls around the world who are forced by their families and communities into marriage.

The United Nations Development Programme established the day in 1989 to create awareness about the world’s population challenges and it is usually observed on July 11 of every year.

She pointed out that many of these girls are forced to leave school, damaging their future prospects and denying them of their human rights, especially the marginalized ones who are from ethnic minorities or poor households.

Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin admonished leaders and communities to focus on how to stand up for the human rights of most of these marginalized teenage girls particularly those who are poor, out of school, exploited, or subjected to harmful traditional practices, including child marriage. He called on, non-governmental organizations, youth-led groups, activists, faith-based institutions and girls themselves to contribute in shaping policies that affects lives of teenage girls as well as make sure those policies are translated into reality.