Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) – On the occasion of World Children’s Day 20 November the Milan based NGO Intervita denounces the tragedy of child brides. According to the 2003 Report on the State of the World issued by the United National World Population Fund, some 82 million girls marry between the ages of 10 and 17 years, and Intervita denounces forced marriages for young girls. “More than local traditions forced marriages are due to the situation of extreme poverty of families unable to provide for their children – says Intervita – early marriage is a desperate solution to poverty”. The practice is widespread in Asia and Africa and it affects girls and also to a minor degree boys. In Bangladesh the average is 5 boys aged, between 15 and 19, every 51 girls; in Mali the proportion is 5 boys every 50 girls and in Guatemala 8 out of every 24 are boys. UN surveys show that girls who attend school for 7 or more years, marry at least four years later and have fewer children; 2,2 times less than women who have no education. (20/11/2003 Fides Service; lines:21 words:241)
