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UNESCO: Child Marriage Thwarts Education for Millions
25 Oct
Summary
- Child marriage and early pregnancy are significant barriers to girls' education.
- Globally, 18% of girls marry before 18, but rates are higher in Africa and Asia.
- Legal rights for pregnant and parenting girls' education are limited in many countries.
Early marriage and motherhood remain significant obstacles preventing girls from completing their education, according to UNESCO's 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Gender Report. Globally, the percentage of girls married before 18 has fallen to 18% as of 2025, a decrease from 25% in 2000. However, rates remain high in certain regions, with 25% in Central and Southern Asia and 31% in sub-Saharan Africa.
In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated six million girls aged 10-19 who were pregnant or parenting were out of school in 2024. Alarmingly, fewer than 5% of these girls return to education after giving birth. While 58% of countries legally guarantee education without sex-based discrimination, only 35% explicitly protect the right to education for pregnant and parenting girls.
Beyond legal frameworks, financial constraints, social stigma, lack of childcare, and safety concerns further hinder young mothers' return to school. UNESCO's report highlights India's rural-urban divide, where rural girls lag significantly behind boys in completing upper secondary education. Targeted interventions are crucial to address these deep-seated inequalities.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany emphasized that while gender parity in enrollment is improving globally, many girls still face substantial barriers to accessing, completing, and succeeding in school. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive strategies beyond just legal entitlements.
