Child marriage remains one of the most harmful practices threatening the lives and futures of millions of girls across the globe. Despite being illegal in most countries, new research from Plan International reveals that 12 million girls are still married each year before turning 18. The 2025 State of the World’s Girls Report, titled “Let me be a child, not a wife – Girls’ experiences of living through child marriage,” brings to light the stories of girls living through this violation and the far-reaching consequences it carries.
The study gathered testimonies from girls in 15 countries. These countries include Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Ecuador, Nigeria, Niger, and Togo. Their experiences paint a sobering picture. Cultural norms, poverty, and weak legal systems continue to trap young girls in marriages. These marriages rob them of education, health, and freedom.
Violence and Abuse Within Child Marriages
One of the most alarming findings from the report is the prevalence of violence and abuse within child marriages. Many of the girls interviewed described relationships marked by domination, control, and physical harm. Since many were married to men much older than themselves, they faced power imbalances. This led nearly impossible to protect themselves.
Over 13% of respondents disclosed experiencing violence, though the true number is likely much higher. The stigma surrounding abuse often prevents girls from speaking out, leaving them trapped in silence. For many, violence was normalized within their communities, where such treatment of girls and women is rarely questioned or punished.
Nearly half of the girls (45%) reported being married to men at least five years older. Others were married to men ten or even twenty years older. This age gap often intensified control and abuse, with girls having little to no say in their daily lives.
Bupe, a 19-year-old from Zambia who was married at 15, shared, “He used to intimidate me, and whenever I tried to speak up, he would beat me. I kept quiet because I feared the consequences.” Her story echoes that of many others who described feeling powerless and isolated.
The Weight of Societal Expectations
Despite global efforts to end child marriage, the practice remains deeply rooted in cultural and social traditions. According to the report, nearly half of the girls (46%) said they were pressured into marriage due to economic hardship or social expectations.
In many communities, girls are still viewed primarily as future wives and mothers, with their value tied to fertility and obedience. These expectations strip them of autonomy and opportunities for education or employment. Families often see marriage as a form of protection or social advancement, not realizing the lifelong harm it inflicts.
The report also warns of new dangers emerging through digital spaces. In parts of Asia and Latin America, older men are exploiting girls online, offering marriage as a false promise of escape from poverty or difficult family situations. This manipulation further exposes girls to trafficking, abuse, and early motherhood.
While some girls described believing they had chosen their partner, many admitted that the decision was heavily influenced by pressure from family and community members. Marriage was seen as the only way to preserve family honor, and refusing could lead to shame or exclusion.
Legal Loopholes and Weak Enforcement
Child marriage is illegal in 14 of the 15 countries studied—Niger being the only exception. However, the report reveals that legal bans alone are not enough. Loopholes, weak enforcement, and underfunded justice systems allow child marriage to continue unchecked.
In some nations, parents, guardians, or local judges can still authorize marriages under the legal age, undermining child protection laws. In others, the legal age for girls to marry is lower than for boys, reflecting systemic gender inequality.
Unregistered or informal unions also remain widespread, making child marriage even harder to monitor. These unrecognized marriages leave girls without access to property rights, legal recourse, or protection in cases of abandonment or abuse.
The Lasting Impact on Education and Health
The consequences of child marriage extend far beyond the wedding day. The report found that 35% of girls dropped out of school after marriage, and 63% are now not in education, employment, or training. These numbers reveal how marriage effectively ends most girls’ chances of building independent futures.
Access to contraception and reproductive health services is also severely limited for married girls. Many face intense pressure to become pregnant soon after marriage, often with little understanding of maternal health or family planning. Several girls said their husbands controlled their contraceptive use, finances, and daily decisions, leaving them with no autonomy over their bodies or lives.
The mental health toll is equally devastating. Many participants described feeling lonely, anxious, and overwhelmed by adult responsibilities they were not ready to face. The isolation of early marriage often leads to depression, particularly when combined with abuse or financial hardship.
The Cycle of Divorce and Stigma
The study also uncovered that child marriages are often unstable. Nearly one in three girls (28%) interviewed were already divorced, despite their young age. However, leaving these marriages does not necessarily bring relief. Many divorced girls face severe stigma, community rejection, and deep economic hardship.
In many societies, divorced girls are viewed as a source of shame, which further limits their chances of rebuilding their lives or returning to school. Without legal or social support systems, many are left to fend for themselves, continuing the cycle of poverty and vulnerability.
Progress Remains Too Slow
Plan International’s Chief Executive Officer, Reena Ghelani, emphasized that progress against child marriage is happening but at an unacceptably slow pace. “This study shines a stark light on the hidden realities of child marriage, giving voice to girls and young women who are too often silenced,” she said.
“Child marriage puts girls at risk of multiple harms and robs them of life opportunities. Progress is too slow, and laws are not doing enough to protect girls, meaning they are facing more risks and fewer choices,” Ghelani added.
On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl, Plan International is calling for renewed global commitment to ending child marriage. The organization urges governments, communities, and digital platforms to take stronger action to protect girls, both offline and online.
A Call for Investment and Change
To truly end child marriage, the report recommends targeted investments in education, community awareness, and online safety. It also calls for the elimination of harmful social norms that perpetuate the idea of girls as property or dependents.
Strengthening access to education and healthcare is vital, as is ensuring that laws protecting children are properly enforced. Programs that empower girls economically and socially have proven effective in reducing child marriage rates, but they need greater funding and political support.
“Child marriage is not normal and should never be seen as such—it is a violation,” said Ghelani. “Girls must be allowed to choose their own future, and we will not stop until that right becomes a reality.”
The Road Ahead
As the global community continues to grapple with gender inequality, child marriage stands as a clear reminder of the barriers many girls still face. Ending this practice requires more than legislation; it demands cultural transformation, education, and empowerment.
Plan International’s 2025 State of the World’s Girls Report offers a powerful message: progress is possible, but only if girls’ voices are heard and their rights are prioritized. The stories of these young women underline the urgent need for collective action to protect their futures.
Every girl deserves the chance to grow, learn, and dream—not to be forced into adulthood before her time. Until every girl can say “let me be a child, not a wife,” the fight to end child marriage must continue.