Actualités
calendar_today01 Février 2021
Plus de contes de fées. Plus de fausses promesses. Il est temps que les filles écrivent elles-mêmes leurs histoires.
Actualités
calendar_today11 Juin 2019
Actualités
calendar_today01 Février 2019
Chaque jour, des dizaines de milliers de filles deviennent des enfants épouses. Le mariage d’enfants viole leurs droits, met leur santé en danger et assombrit beaucoup leur avenir. Mais lorsque les filles peuvent se battre, refuser leur mariage précoce ou y échapper, leurs possibilités n’ont plus de limites. A l’occasion de la Saint-Valentin cette année, nous allons explorer ce qui se passe quand les filles disent « NON ».
Diaporama
calendar_today01 Février 2018
Child marriage is common; it takes place in every corner of the world. In Nicaragua, Irayda ran away from an abusive home and got married at age 14. “Before I was 15, I was already pregnant,” she said. © UNFPA Nicaragua
Millions of girls are married off every year. In Myanmar, this girl was married off while still a teenager. © UNFPA Myanmar/Yenny Gamming
Child marriage is largely driven by poverty and gender inequality. Fanny, in Malawi, was married at 17. “This was due to pressure from my parents, who were overwhelmed by the deep poverty we were experiencing, but I was not ready,” she said. ©UNFPA Malawi
The practice takes an enormous toll on children. Child brides often drop out of school, limiting their future potential. In Kabul, Leda’s husband forced her to leave the 11th grade. This is her empty classroom chair. © UNFPA Afghanistan
The reverse is true as well: Girls who leave school are extremely vulnerable to child marriage. “If I quit my studies, I will be married off immediately,” said Kabita, 16, in Nepal. © UNFPA Nepal/Dhana Bahadur Lamsal
Child brides are vulnerable to violence. “They really beat me up, a beating like I had never experienced in my entire life,” said Eunice, in Kenya, describing her forced marriage. She escaped and now, at 16, she is happily in school. Luca Zordan for UNFPA
Violence leaves a lasting mark, affecting girls’ physical, emotional and mental well-being. “I wanted to finish my life because of all the torture,” said one girl in Afghanistan, who was a child bride at age 12. These are her shoes. © UNFPA Afghanistan
Child brides are often pushed into premature parenthood. “My sister wasn't ready to be a bride at 17,” said Puja, in Nepal. “Her marriage was against her will. Right after her marriage, she became a mother.” © UNFPA Nepal/Dhana Bahadur Lamsal
Many become pregnant before their bodies are ready. Pregnancy-related complications are the world’s leading killer of adolescent girls. “I damaged my spine because of this early pregnancy,” said Ameena, in Yemen (second from left), married at 15. © UNFPA
Pregnancy also increases the risk of child marriage. In Kenya, Pamela’s father tried to marry her off after she became pregnant. She fled. “If I ever go back home, he will kill me,” she said. But she is happy she escaped. Luca Zordan for UNFPA
Boys are married off as well. “I was a child,” said this young man in Yemen, who was married at age 16. His wife was 13. “I could not make my own decisions. My father ordered me to marry, so I got married.” © UNFPA Yemen
But empowering youth can help to end this practice. With knowledge about their reproductive health and human rights, young people can take a stand. “If I were married right now, I would not be ready,” said Yuridia, 11, in Mexico. © UNFPA Mexico
When they are empowered, girls can pursue dreams bigger than an early marriage. “I am not ready for marriage because I want to continue studying to be a professional,” said Maybelle, 15, in El Salvador. © UNFPA El Salvador
Informing children, and their communities, about the harms of child marriage can help mobilize a movement against it. “I think it’s not a good idea for young children to be married,” said Faina, 18. © UNFPA Comoros
And families can make better choices. “When I fell pregnant, my mother refused [to have] me go and stay with the boy responsible. I think she made a good decision,” said Edna, 17. “Here at school, you dream of a better future.” © UNFPA Malawi