Despite international efforts to eliminate child marriage, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to have high rates of this harmful practice.
Child marriage refers to a formal or informal union where one or both parties are under 18 years of age. It’s harmful because it denies girls their right to education, health and personal development.
Around 29% of young women aged 20-24 in the DRC were married before age 18. There is also variation by residence. In rural areas the rate of marriage before 18 is much higher at 40.1%, compared to 19.4% in urban areas.
