CHILD MARRIAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19: Analysis of trends, programming and alternative approaches in the Middle East and North Africa

There is not enough evidence yet on the impact of the pandemic on child marriage globally and in the Middle East and North Africa/Arab States (MENA/AS) region. Nevertheless, it is estimated that up to 10 million more girls will be at risk of becoming child brides in the next decade as a result of COVID-19.

Child marriage and its drivers are complex and vary within and across countries. Nevertheless, given the adverse implications of COVID-19 on the global economy, particularly for low-income countries where child marriage practice is more prevalent, and the fact that poverty is one of the drivers of child marriage worldwide, cases of child marriages are expected to increase in vulnerable and poor communities. Additionally, the impact of COVID-19 restriction measures and policies has aggravated the situation, especially in access to services for prevention and response to child marriage.

This study was commissioned with the purpose of generating more evidence to analyse trends and drivers in rates of child marriage during the COVID-19 pandemic in the MENA region, with a focus on six countries. The study also documents promising practices and interventions to curb the impact of COVID-19 on child marriage and bolster efforts to eliminate child marriage by 2020.