Jordan continues its efforts to curb child marriage
International Day of the Girl Child falls today..
Amman3 min read
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The International Day of the Girl Child, which falls on October 11th of each year, highlights the reality of girls' rights in Jordan and the national efforts aimed at enhancing their protection, empowering them, and ensuring their access to education, healthcare, and fair opportunities, in light of ongoing social and economic challenges, most notably the marriage of those under the age of eighteen.
Commemorating this occasion reaffirms the importance of providing a safe environment that guarantees girls their fundamental rights, protects them from violence, discrimination, and exploitation, and allows them to complete their education, develop their capabilities, and participate effectively in social and economic life.
In Jordan, curbing child marriage represents one of the main pillars of child protection, as data from national studies indicate a noticeable decline in the rates of this phenomenon over the past years. According to data from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the rate of child marriage decreased from 13.8 percent in 2015 to 8 percent in 2024.
Despite the progress made, several factors still contribute to the persistence of the phenomenon, including poverty, economic pressures, certain social practices, and a lack of awareness regarding the health, psychological, and social impacts of early marriage. This necessitates continued awareness efforts and the provision of social and economic support to the most vulnerable families, helping to address the causes that may lead to marrying off girls at an early age.
Education constitutes one of the most prominent paths to enhancing the protection and empowerment of girls by expanding their future options and increasing their opportunities for economic and social participation. These efforts also require providing a safe school environment, reducing school dropout rates, and supporting girls at risk of dropping out of education.
Protection is not limited to confronting child marriage, but also includes preventing violence, abuse, and exploitation, developing psychological and social support services, providing safe channels for reporting violations, and enhancing awareness of digital risks and cyberbullying.
In this context, the importance of integrated roles between government institutions, the National Council for Family Affairs, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and international organizations stands out to ensure that programs reach the most needy groups and to enhance the participation of girls in initiatives and decisions that affect their lives and future. The International Day of the Girl Child confirms that continuing progress in protecting girls' rights requires moving from addressing challenges to ensuring their actual access to their rights through sustainable policies that place education, protection, and empowerment at the forefront of priorities.
Protecting the childhood of girls in Jordan, ensuring they complete their education, and providing them with equal opportunities remain fundamental pillars for building a more just society and enhancing their participation in development and shaping the future.
