Plan International links climate shocks to rising child marriage and pregnancy

A global study by Plan International has revealed a direct correlation between climate disasters and an increase in child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and violence against girls. The research, which spanned 52 low- and middle-income countries, highlights how climate-related shocks are devastating health outcomes and disrupting essential education services for young women. By surveying 5,000 girls and young women aged 15 to 24, the organisation found that the breakdown of social and economic systems during environmental crises disproportionately targets vulnerable females.

According to the findings, 36% of the participants observed a rise in early marriages within their communities following climate events. Additionally, 10% of those surveyed reported experiencing unintended pregnancies due to the direct or indirect consequences of climate disasters. The report also identified a significant surge in physical and sexual hazards, with 28% of respondents noting increased violence against women and girls in the aftermath of these shocks. These statistics underscore a growing protection crisis where traditional safety nets and institutional supports often fail during floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events.

The study emphasizes that the disruption of education serves as a critical driver for these increased risks. When schools are damaged, destroyed, or repurposed as temporary shelters, girls frequently lose the primary environment that protects them from early marriage and exploitation. Furthermore, access to essential healthcare services worsened significantly for the majority of girls interviewed, making it difficult for them to obtain reproductive health support or general medical care following a disaster. In many cases, the loss of family livelihoods forces parents to view child marriage as a survival strategy to reduce economic burdens.

In response to these findings, Plan International is calling for urgent global action to integrate the specific health and protection needs of girls into national climate adaptation plans. The organisation stresses that climate policy must move beyond infrastructure to address the social vulnerabilities exacerbated by the changing environment. Providing targeted support to at-risk communities and ensuring the continuity of education and health services are described as vital steps to preventing the regression of girls' rights during environmental crises.