Plan International links climate extremes to rising rates of child marriage
A new Plan International report warns that extreme weather events tied to climate change are increasing the risk of forced marriages for girls in several countries.
On World Girls' Day, Plan International published a report titled “Change her forecast” examining how climate change may affect early marriage. Researchers interviewed girls and young women from Bangladesh, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Peru, gathering personal accounts of how extreme weather such as floods, droughts and heat waves disrupt schooling and health services. The findings suggest that reduced education and limited medical care make girls more vulnerable to being married off before adulthood.
The report emphasizes that these outcomes stem from climate impacts rather than the cultural background of the respondents. Plan International calls for policies that keep girls in school, address economic drivers of child marriage, ensure food security for families, and involve girls in decision-making processes.
Why it matters
Understanding climate-driven risks to girls' education and marriage helps shape policies that protect vulnerable populations.
In this story
