Child Marriage; Over 131,000 Children Under 15 Married in Iran Over the Past 5 Years

According to data from Iran’s Statistical Center, over the past 5 years, 131,000 children under 15 years old have been married in the country. Additionally, during the past year, 791 children were born to mothers aged 10 to 14 years old. The physical and psychological harms resulting from marriage during childhood inflict irreparable damage on the lives of these children. Pregnancies under 18 years of age, maternal mortality, depression, suicide attempts, divorce, dropping out of school, and the perpetuation of cycles of cultural and economic poverty are among these harms.

According to Hrana news agency, citing Tejarat News, over the past 5 years, 131,000 children under 15 years old have been married in Iran.

Based on data from Iran’s Statistical Center, 33,371 girls under 15 years old were married in 1396 (2017). Additionally, 30,532, 28,412, 31,518, and 7,529 girls under 15 years old were married in 1397 (2018), 1398 (2019), 1399 (2020), and 1400 (2021) respectively.

According to the same statistics, over the past 5 years, 42 boys under 15 years old were married in 1396 (2017). Additionally, 29, 23, 21, and 8 boys under 15 years old were married in 1397 (2018), 1398 (2019), 1399 (2020), and 1400 (2021) respectively.

Furthermore, during the year 1400 (2021), 791 children were born to mothers aged 10 to 14 years old. Sistan and Baluchestan Province ranks first in this statistic with 248 children born to mothers aged 10 to 14 years old during 1400 (2021).

Following this province, respectively, Khuzestan with 92 children born, Razavi Khorasan with 65 children born, Golestan with 46 children born, Kerman with 45 children born, and East Azerbaijan with 35 children born rank at the top of statistics for children born to mothers aged 10 to 14 years old.

The physical and psychological harms resulting from marriage during childhood inflict irreparable damage on the lives of these children. Pregnancies under 18 years of age, maternal mortality, depression, suicide attempts, divorce, dropping out of school, and the perpetuation of cycles of cultural and economic poverty are among these harms.

Source: Hrana