Child marriages: Still too many

Although the official age of adulthood varied across countries, several international conventions, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which had been signed by 140 states, apply the definition of 'child marriage' to any couple where at least one member – usually the girl – is aged under 18.

The practice of child marriage challenged both children's rights and gender equality, and exposed child brides to serious abuses and health risks. Child wives dropped out of school and had little access to economic resources, which hindered potential development opportunities for their community.

The European Union not only constantly condemned child marriage but also endeavoured to tackle this practice through targeted aid programmes. The European Parliament voiced its concerns about the issue during the European Development Days 2018.