Child marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting
Updated brief exploring the common drivers of child marriage and FGM/C, and includes recommendations for integrated policy and programming to catalyse change for girls at every level.
Child marriage and FGM/C are both violations of girls’ rights. They are both rooted in gender inequality and driven by social norms that aim to control female sexuality and maintain cultural, social and religious traditions. Child marriage is also closely linked to poverty and low levels of education, while FGM/C is sometimes – but not always – linked to economic pressures.
Where child marriage and FGM/C coexist, solutions should be integrated and address the underlying – and gendered – social norms that perpetuate both practices. The end child marriage and FGM/C movements should work together to advocate for change at the community, national, regional and global level to increase momentum for change.