A report by Save the Children titled: “The Global Girlhood Report 2024” has revealed a troubling connection between state fragility and high rates of child marriage in Africa.
Released on the International Day of the Girl, the report highlighted that 32 million girls are living in countries classified as either “extremely fragile” or “fragile,” where child marriage is alarmingly prevalent.
These areas have been termed “fragility-child marriage hotspots.”
Of the 10 worst hotspots identified in the report, eight are located in Africa, with the Central African Republic, Chad and South Sudan being the most affected, followed by Somalia and Eritrea.
According to the findings, girls in fragile states are twice as likely to be married before the age of 17 compared to girls in more stable countries.
The report further outlines the devastating impact of child marriages in these fragile regions.
In these countries, nearly 558,000 girls—approximately one in four—give birth before they turn 18. Many of these young mothers lack access to adequate healthcare, increasing their risk of pregnancy-related complications.
The Global Girlhood Report 2024 also notes a growing trend of global fragility, with the number of countries classified as fragile increasing to 60, up from 57 in 2020.
Fragile states are defined as countries where governments struggle to maintain law and order, manage their economies, and provide essential services to protect citizens.
Conflict and climate-related disasters often exacerbate these challenges, perpetuating poverty and instability.
The CEO of Save the Children International, Inger Ashing emphasized the urgent need to address these alarming findings.
