Daily Current Affairs : 5-Septembe-2023

Child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) is a global issue that has detrimental consequences for girls and women. A recent study published in the journal International Social Work highlights the connection between extreme weather events and the rise of CEFM in low- and middle-income countries. This essay explores the key findings of the study, the countries affected, and the underlying causes and consequences of CEFM in the context of extreme weather.

Extreme Weather and CEFM: A Troubling Link

The study reviewed 20 research papers published between 2010 and 2022, all of which identified a concerning correlation between extreme weather events and the prevalence of CEFM in various countries. These events included droughts, floods, and other natural disasters. The countries covered in these studies included Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Indonesia, Malawi, Nepal, Tanzania, Vietnam, and sub-Saharan African nations.

Worsening Gender Inequality and Poverty

The research findings emphasized that gender-based violence and gender inequalities tend to exacerbate in extreme weather contexts. This worsened situation disproportionately affects the resilience of women and girls during weather extremes and disasters. Development initiatives often fail to address these gender disparities, further perpetuating the problem.

Adaptive Coping Strategy

One of the startling revelations of the study was that CEFM was frequently used as an adaptive coping strategy to reduce economic vulnerabilities in the face of extreme weather. For instance, in Bangladesh, parents married off their daughters early after Cyclone Aila in 2009 to alleviate their economic and food burden on the household. Similarly, in Kenya, young brides were sought to assist with increased labor demands, such as searching for food and water over long distances.

The Role of Dowry and Bride Price

The study identified the role of dowry and bride price as significant factors influencing the link between CEFM and extreme weather. In regions where groom’s families pay a bride price to the bride’s family, like sub-Saharan Africa and Vietnam, there was an increased likelihood of CEFM during droughts and rainfall shocks. Conversely, in areas where dowries are customary, such as India, girls were less likely to get married during drought years because the bride’s family could not afford the dowry payment.

Protection from Sexual Violence

Parents also resorted to CEFM to protect their daughters from sexual violence and to avoid family dishonor, especially in times of crisis when rates of sexual assault tend to escalate. This often occurs in evacuation camps or temporary shelters.

Education and Empowerment

Gender inequality emerges as the primary driver of child marriage. Education and financial control play a pivotal role in empowering women and girls to make their own decisions. In India and Malawi, the study found an inverse association between educational attainment and CEFM. As parental education levels increased, the incidence of CEFM decreased in India and Vietnam.

Alarming Statistics

The essay also highlights alarming statistics related to child marriage. Approximately 12 million girls are married off before reaching adulthood each year. Despite years of efforts to combat this practice, it is at great risk of resurging. The Global Slavery Index for 2023 has noted that climate change, along with other environmental factors, has worsened modern slavery in Africa, with millions of individuals subjected to forced marriage and labor.

International Conventions and Agreements

Several international conventions and agreements address the issue of child marriage, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.

Important Points:

  • Recent study connects extreme weather events to CEFM in low- and middle-income countries.
  • 20 studies from 2010-2022 reveal the link between droughts, floods, and CEFM.
  • Impacted countries include Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Indonesia, Malawi, Nepal, Tanzania, Vietnam, and sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Gender-based violence and inequalities worsen during extreme weather, affecting women and girls’ resilience.
  • Development initiatives often neglect gender disparities, perpetuating the problem.
  • CEFM serves as an adaptive strategy to reduce economic vulnerabilities during extreme weather.
  • Dowry and bride price play significant roles; bride price increases CEFM during droughts, while dowry decreases it.
  • Parents resort to CEFM to protect daughters from sexual violence and dishonor.
  • Education and financial control are vital for empowering women and reducing CEFM.
  • Inverse association found between education levels and CEFM in India and Vietnam.
  • Alarming statistics: 12 million girls married before adulthood annually, with a risk of resurgence.
  • Climate change exacerbates modern slavery, with millions in forced marriage and labor in Africa.
  • International conventions and agreements address child marriage and protect women’s rights.
Why In News

According to a recent study published in the journal International Social Work, extreme weather events exacerbate structural inequalities like gender disparity and economic hardship, leading to a rise in child, early, and forced marriages (CEFM). This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for climate resilience strategies that prioritize vulnerable communities and address the interconnected issues of climate change, poverty, and gender inequality.

MCQs about Extreme Weather’s Role in Child Marriage

  1. What role do dowry and bride price play in the context of CEFM and extreme weather?
    A. Dowry and bride price have no impact on CEFM.
    B. Dowry increases CEFM during droughts, while bride price decreases it.
    C. Both dowry and bride price decrease CEFM during extreme weather events.
    D. Dowry and bride price increase CEFM during extreme weather events.
    Correct Answer: B. Dowry increases CEFM during droughts, while bride price decreases it.
    Explanation: The dowry increases CEFM during droughts, while bride price decreases it, highlighting their roles in the context of extreme weather and CEFM.
  2. What is the primary driver of child marriage?
    A. Economic vulnerabilities
    B. Cultural customs
    C. Gender inequality
    D. Lack of education
    Correct Answer: C. Gender inequality
    Explanation: The gender inequality as the primary driver of child marriage.
  3. Why do parents sometimes resort to CEFM?
    A. To ensure their children receive a good education.
    B. To protect their daughters from sexual violence and avoid family dishonor during times of crisis.
    C. To reduce economic burdens on the household.
    D. To promote cultural traditions.
    Correct Answer: B. To protect their daughters from sexual violence and avoid family dishonor during times of crisis.
    Explanation: The parents sometimes resort to Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM) to protect their daughters from sexual violence and to avoid family dishonor, especially during times of crisis.

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