An estimated 640 million girls and women in the world today were married in childhood, according to UNICEF. The prevalence has slightly declined: with one in five young women aged 20 to 24 years being married as children, down from nearly one in four 10 years ago.
But child marriage continues to be a harmful practice in many developing countries, where it is often seen as a necessity for survival. In many communities, child marriage is seen as a way to protect girls and ensure their financial security, while also aligning with traditional gender roles and expectations.
