"This publication was completed at the Centre for Women (ECW) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in the context of a joint project with the Arab States Regional Office (ASRO) of the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA)"--Acknowledgements. "15-00549." Includes bibliographical references (pages 92-96).
Contents:
An Introduction. Background and Context ; Objectives of Study ; Research Methodology ; Analytical Challenges and Data Limitations of Study ; Conceptual and Legal Frameworks of the Study ; Study Outline -- Prevalence, Contexts, and Structural Roots. Prevalence of Child Marriage in the Arab Region ; The complex web of socio-economic and cultural factors correlated with child marriage in the Arab Region ; Ratification of International Treaties by Arab States ; Congruence of Arab State National Laws with International Standards : Minimum age of marriage, Exceptions to minimum age of marriage, Consent for marriage, Registrations of Birth ; Strategies and mechanisms to prevent child marriage in the Arab region -- Prevalence and dynamics. Child marriage, development, and conflict ; Effect of cultural and ideological factors on child marriage in conflict and humanitarian settings ; Marriage Trends in conflict-ridden countries: Conflict countries with low rates of child marriage, Conflict communities with stagnating and possibly rising child marriage rates, Countries where child marriage rates remain high ; Concluding analysis: The dynamics of sexual violence, economic hardship, and ideology, and their inter-linkages with child marriage -- Reflections on cases of child marriage among Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Field research methodology and challenges ; Research sample and profile of interviewed girls ; Research Findings: Circumstances leading to marriage of refugee girls, Married Life, Concluding Analysis -- Child Marriage - At What Cost? Educational attainment and literacy ; Poverty and economic opportunities ; Maternal mortality and morbidity ; Mental health ; Gender-based violence ; Effects on divorce ; Intergenerational effects ; Socioeconomic development ; Conclusion -- Future Directions and Policy Options. Strategic policy options for the prevention of child marriage ; Programmatic considerations in humanitarian and crisis settings.
Summary:
"While sexual violence, food insecurity and lack of access to adequate health services have been identified as the most pressing areas of concern among female displaced populations in the Arab region, child marriage has been highlighted as an increasingly alarming problem. International instruments and humanitarian laws address child marriage as a form of gender-based violence and a human rights violation. This study tackles the issue of female child marriage in the Arab region, particularly in conflict and humanitarian settings. It explores the causes of this problem, with a distinction between such structural determinants as family and community relations and gender roles that have long been present in many Arab countries, and such contextual determinants as instability, displacement and extreme poverty. It also investigates the economic and health effects of child marriage, for young brides, their children and their communities, especially in post-conflict contexts. The study also provides an overview of national obligations with regard to preventing child marriage, as stipulated by international instruments and humanitarian laws. It concludes with policy recommendations to address the multifaceted dimensions of child marriage and its implications for the rights of the girl-child"--Publisher's website.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.