Guatemala is among the countries with the highest prevalence of child, early and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU) in Latin America and the Caribbean: 30% of Guatemalan women marry or enter a union before the age of 18.
The main causes of CEFMU in Guatemala are gender inequality, poverty and discriminatory norms affecting children, adolescents and women, and other closely related factors such as sexual violence, adolescent pregnancy and school dropout.
To effectively address CEFMU in Guatemala, we recommend diverse actors work together to:
- Improve coordination between key sectors, including education and health.
- Adopt integrated protection systems.
- Work with communities to transform discriminatory social norms.
- Run public campaigns about the rights of adolescents.
- Strengthen laws and public policies.