Feature: “Breaking Vows: Early And Forced Marriage And Girls’ Education”
One in every three girls in the developing world is married by the age of 18. One in seven marries before they reach the age of 15.Early and forced marriage is most prevalent where poverty, birth and death rates are high, there is greater incidence of conflict and civil strife and lower levels of overall development, including schooling, employment and healthcare.
A young girl in Nepal participates in a symbolic marriage to Lord Vishnu, during the ritual ceremony of Lhi. (Photo-JMHullot)