Gaza war drives surge in child marriages as families grapple with poverty and displacement
Displaced families in Gaza are increasingly marrying off teenage girls, a trend linked to hunger, loss of income and the collapse of education after the war.
In displaced tents near Rafah, a 15-year-old girl was married to her 23-year-old cousin after her family lost their home and income, a story that reflects a wider pattern across Gaza. UNFPA recorded a 123% increase in reported forced and child marriages between January and June 2026, attributing the rise to acute hunger, poverty and the shutdown of schools and health services. Families are opting for inexpensive, tent-based ceremonies with dowries as low as 2,000 Jordanian dinars, making marriage financially feasible for young men.
Psychologist Walaa Hijazi and lawyer Hanadi Salah stress that the loss of parental protection and disrupted education push girls into early marriage without adequate consent or preparation. The trend threatens the rights and future of thousands of girls, as the education system remains crippled and humanitarian aid struggles to meet basic needs.
Why it matters
The spike in child marriages signals deepening humanitarian crisis and long-term risks for girls' health, education and rights in Gaza.
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