Child marriage and COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way we live our lives – and the way we carry out our work. Civil society, governments, and non-governmental organisations are having to rethink programmes and policies across all areas of work. Here we highlight the latest news, resources and opportunities to engage with others so that collectively we can continue to focus on our mission: to end child marriage.
We need to work together as a partnership to make sure girls at risk of child marriage and married girls are at the centre of the COVID-19 response and recovery. That’s why we’ve addressed the key issues in our own resources, which cover the pandemic, its impacts on girls and adolescents, and our recommendations for a sustainable response.
We’ve also created a series of themed blogs to share key resources from the sector, and have published stories and updates from girls and member organisations around the world. These blogs showcase the adaptability and determination of the global movement to end child marriage. Find solutions and more inspiration below, and on our Articles and Learning & Resources pages.
Latest news & blogs on COVID-19 and child marriage
We are no longer alone: Girls, adolescents and young women speak out about injustices in Latin America and Caribbean
Resources to help during COVID-19: Our top recommended across health, education, humanitarian contexts, economic impacts and fundraising
Advice from a young woman on listening to young women during the COVID-19 pandemic
What’s on the agenda for the coming year: Three takeaways from UNGA75
Our brief
COVID-19 and child, early and forced marriage: An agenda for action
This brief – updated in July 2021 – provides insights, recommendations and resources for responding to the needs of adolescent girls during and after this crisis, including those at risk of early marriage, married girls, and those in informal unions.
Related resources
COVID-19 and child marriage in West and Central Africa
A brief summarising the impact of COVID-19 on child marriage in West and Central Africa, and including recommendations and a call to action for girls' rights to be upheld.
Child marriage in humanitarian contexts
This brief summarises what we know about child marriage in humanitarian contexts and where we need to accelerate action to meet global development targets by 2030.
Girls’ education and COVID-19: What past shocks can teach us about mitigating the impacts of pandemics
This report uses insights from the 2014-15 Ebola epidemic and the 2008 global financial crisis to understand the consequences of COVID-19 for girls.
COVID-19: A gender lens. Protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and promoting gender equality
Discussion of how women are differently impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak from a Sexual and Reproductive Health perspective.