3-Country research study to end child, early and forced marriage in humanitarian settings SUMMARY
Child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) are harmful practices perpetuated by gender discrimination and violations of human rights. These practices disproportionately affect girls and women, curtailing their education, violating their sexual and reproductive health and rights, limiting their autonomy and opportunities for economic, political and social participation, as well as placing them at increased risk of further violence. Gains previously made during times of relative stability regress as families see CEFM as a way to cope with greater economic hardship and as a means to protect girls from increasing instability and violence. Child marriage is a cross-cutting issue requiring coordination from the earliest stage of a crisis. As of October 2019 Plan International and the Women’s Refugee Commission conduct a girl-led community-grounded research in three emergency responses in Ethiopia, the Philippines and Zimbabwe; to build an evidence based program model for intervention.