Climate Crisis Fuels Child Marriage and Teen Pregnancies

Climate disasters are intensifying the risks of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and violence against girls worldwide. Analysis of data from over 50 countries over three decades highlights how floods, droughts, and extreme heat disrupt essential health and education services relied upon by girls.

A significant portion of girls surveyed reported experiencing unintended pregnancies and witnessing increases in early marriages following climate-related events. Participants described girls as young as 12 or 13 becoming pregnant and marrying before 18 after being displaced or facing destitution due to climate shocks.

The climate crisis directly impacts girls' health and education, with national climate plans often neglecting their specific needs. Multilateral climate finance directed towards health services for women and girls remains critically low, despite escalating climate impacts. Over a quarter of girls reported witnessing increased violence against women and girls after climate events.

When schools, a key protection against early marriage and violence, are disrupted by climate shocks, girls are more likely to be forced to leave. This educational disruption doubles their risk of early marriage and unintended pregnancy. Access to essential health services declines, particularly in drought-affected regions, with prolonged drought consistently linked to rising rates of child marriage.