Canadian aid agencies are warning that the world food crisismade worse by the war in Ukraineis leading to an increase in the number of underage girls being forced into marriage.
Plan International Canada says it has seen a worrying increase in the number of teenage girls in developing countries being forced into marriage because their families cannot afford to support them.
The agency says 12 million girls under the age of 18 become child bride every year, forcing them to miss school while their health is in jeopardy during an early pregnancy.
It warns the 15% drop in child marriage rates over the past decade is reversing, with the problem being severe in countries such as South Sudan, Niger, Mali, Chad and Bangladesh, a major importer of Ukrainian wheat.
World Vision says that in Afghanistan, where more than 22 million people are hungry, girls are kicked out of school and married, even into violent homes, because their families cannot afford to feed them.
Tanjina Mirza, program director at Plan International Canada, said growing food insecurity is causing more girls to be forced into marriage and child labor to ease the burden on families experiencing difficult.
© 2022 Canadian Press
