Preventing and responding to child marriage in humanitarian settings: The global Programme Approach

Summary

This factsheet explains how child marriage increases and changes in humanitarian crises and how the UNFPA–UNICEF Global Programme works to prevent and respond to it in these contexts. It shows that conflict, displacement, disasters and epidemics deepen poverty, insecurity and service disruptions, which push families to marry girls early as a perceived form of protection or survival. The document outlines current evidence, highlights promising practices across sectors and stresses the need to link humanitarian action with longer term systems strengthening.

Purpose

The purpose of the factsheet is to guide governments, UN agencies and partners on how to address child marriage more effectively in humanitarian settings. It aims to clarify why child marriage must be integrated into preparedness, response and recovery plans and to promote coordinated, multi-sectoral approaches that connect child protection, GBV, health, education and social protection. It also seeks to inform future programming and research by identifying evidence gaps and priority areas for action.

Audience

Target audiences include:

• UN agencies and international NGOs involved in humanitarian response and child protection programming.
• Government ministries and national authorities responsible for child protection, gender, social protection, education and health in crisis-affected countries.
• Humanitarian coordination structures and clusters, especially child protection, GBV, health, education and social protection actors
• Regional bodies and global partners engaged in frameworks and research on child marriage in humanitarian settings