Page 177 - GHES-3-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Path model of child marriage in Africa

make well-informed decisions about their lives, have a (Molitoris et al., 2023). The practice continues to violate
comprehensive understanding of reproductive health, human rights, particularly for girls from financially
contribute to the well-being and prosperity of their constrained families. Early marriage is considered a means
families, and improve their social and economic status of ensuring the family’s financial stability and improving
(Pourtaheri et al., 2023). their social standing (Belachew et al., 2022). A rise in child
Improving the household’s economic security marriage is associated with higher rates of adolescent
contributes to the delay of child marriage. Economic fertility and lower levels of literacy among young women.
interventions are designed to reduce poverty and make Furthermore, a rise in child marriage is connected with
economic growth inclusive through cash transfers, higher maternal mortality, but a reduction in the country’s
forms of social assistance and vocational training, economy.
skill development programs, and economic incentives Officials are encouraged to implement strategies and
(UNFPA & UNICEF, 2023). In addition, another key interventions that address the critical factors associated
intervention is non-cash assets, such as food supply with child marriage. Some African nations with high child
that is provided yearly to families for each year where marriage prevalence have started to implement policies
marriage is delayed (Greene et al., 2023). Previous studies and laws that will assist in achieving the fifth goal of the
identified that cash transfers or other forms of incentives Sustainable Development Goal. In 2024, Sierra Leone, a
can alleviate several economic and social factors of child country notorious for having one of the highest rates of
marriage, through distinctive pathways such as increased child marriage and home to 800,000 child brides (UNFPA
access to education, and improved household finances & UNICEF, 2021), signed a new legislation of prohibiting
(UNFPA & UNICEF, 2023). Tuition fees, monthly or child marriage. Under the new law, people who marry
quarterly allowances, buying books, and school supplies children can be imprisoned for 15 years or fined 50,000
or uniforms could be included in cash transfers, and leones or both. Furthermore, those who assist in arranging
research has shown that they boost school attendance the marriage of a child may be liable to receive the same
rates (Greene et al., 2023). punishment (Kamara, 2024).
Enacting laws and policies that prevent early marriage To fully understand the impact of child marriage, future
is recommended to help reduce the prevalence of child research must investigate alternative contributing factors,
marriage. In Ethiopia, the enactment of a law changing the including behavioral, cultural, and religious influences. In
minimum age for marriage from 15 to 18 years resulted addition, it is recommended to conduct similar research
in an 8% decline of child marriage overall, with a 17% in regions with high prevalence rates of child marriage.
decline in marriage for girls younger than 16 years in areas Comparing socioeconomic and reproductive factors across
with a high prevalence of child marriage (McGavock, other countries may provide insight into the most prevalent
2021; Rokicki, 2021). Another study determined that in factors, which will inform strategies and interventions that
countries with consistent laws against child marriage, the will eliminate child marriage.
prevalence of such marriages decreased by 40% (Greene
et al., 2023). The enactment of these laws is insufficient, Acknowledgments
and age-at-marriage laws may not effectively end early None.
marriage without strong monitoring and enforcement
systems in place (UNFPA & UNICEF, 2023; Greene et al., Funding
2023). According to the World Policy Analysis Center,
countries that enforced laws against child marriage None.
experienced an average of 6% reduction in child marriage Conflict of interest
rates (UNFPA & UNICEF, 2021). Child marriage laws and
policies should be included as part of the legal and policy The authors declare they have no competing interests.
framework, along with advocacy efforts, to address the root
causes of this practice (UNFPA & UNICEF, 2023; UNFPA Author contributions
& UNICEF, 2021). Conceptualization: All authors

6. Conclusion Formal analysis: All authors
Investigation: Laurasona Leigh
Child marriage is negatively associated with several Methodology: All authors
outcomes linked to increasing risk of adverse health Writing – original draft: Laurasona Leigh
outcomes and the psychological well-being of the child Writing – review & editing: All authors

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 169 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.7117