Child marriage persists across eurasia, fueling concerns over rights
Child marriage persists across Eurasia, driven by poverty, tradition, and weak law enforcement
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (MNTV) — Child marriage continues to be a pressing issue in Eurasia, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged regions, despite laws setting the minimum marriage age at 18.Â
Deeply rooted cultural practices, economic hardships, and gaps in law enforcement perpetuate the problem, leaving countless young girls vulnerable to forced and underage marriages.
In Kyrgyzstan, nearly 20% of marriages involve minors, according to preliminary findings from a European Union study on gender equality.Â
Although child marriage is officially outlawed, prosecutions remain rare due to widespread societal acceptance, especially in remote areas where traditional customs hold significant influence.
A report by Equality Now, Breaking Barriers: Addressing Child, Early and Forced Marriage in Eurasia, sheds light on the scale of the issue.Â
The report highlights the lack of comprehensive statistics, as many cases go unreported due to cultural stigma and social taboos.Â
Religious ceremonies, which are not legally registered, further obscure the true extent of the problem.
A widespread issue across the region
Child marriage—defined as any union involving a person under the age of 18, often arranged under coercion—remains prevalent in several Eurasian countries.Â
The highest rates are reported in:
- Georgia: 14% of women aged 20-24 were married before 18
- Kyrgyzstan: 13%
- Azerbaijan: 11%
- Tajikistan: 9%
- Russia: 6%
- Armenia: 5%
- Uzbekistan: 3.4%
These figures likely underestimate the problem, as many underage marriages are conducted informally.Â
For instance, in Armenia’s Yazidi community, girls as young as 13 are often married, while Georgia’s Kvemo Kartli region also reports alarmingly high rates.
Progress and persistent challenges
While some countries have made progress, challenges remain.Â
Georgia saw a decrease in child marriage rates from 27% to 14% over the past two decades.Â
Uzbekistan recorded a dramatic drop from 4,786 underage marriages in 2018 to just 74 in 2022.Â
Despite these improvements, enforcement of marriage laws remains inconsistent, particularly in rural areas where cultural attitudes overshadow legal frameworks.
Economic hardship is a major driver of child marriage, with practices such as bride prices and dowries incentivizing families to marry off daughters early.Â
The Equality Now report calls for targeted economic support and education initiatives to counter these drivers and provide alternative opportunities for at-risk girls.
Without addressing the systemic and cultural roots of child marriage, millions of young girls across Eurasia remain at risk, trapped in cycles of poverty and limited opportunities.
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