In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), 21% of women between the ages of 20 and 24 joined before the age of 18, and 4% before the age of 15.[1] When they enter a union, adolescent girls often take on responsibilities like domestic chores and caregiving, which limit their freedom, access to education and opportunities for comprehensive development. This report analyses the causes, impacts and possible solutions for care and CEFMU, including insights from Girls Not Brides member organisations and adolescent girls.
Key takeaways:
- Married and girls and adolescents in unions spend a greater amount of time on domestic and care work compared to those who are not and to their male peers.
- Care work performed by married and girls and adolescents in unions hinders their access to education, which has an impact throughout their lives.
- States need to recognise the role of girls and adolescents as caregivers and adopt public policies that respond to their needs in light of this reality.
- States must ensure a wide range of programmes that facilitate access to health services, education - including comprehensive sexuality education - and recreational opportunities for girls and adolescents in union.
- States should implement targeted support programmes for adolescent mothers to enable them to continue their studies.
[1] UNICEF, 2022, Child marriage global database