Sec. 1706. Prevention of child marriage
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/bill/113/hr/1793/ih/section-1706·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress finds the following: Child marriage, also known as forced marriage or early marriage , is a harmful traditional practice that deprives girls of their dignity and human rights. Child marriage as a traditional practice, as well as through coercion or force, is a violation of article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of intending spouses . Factors perpetuating child marriage include poverty, a lack of educational or employment opportunities for girls, parental concerns to ensure sexual relations within marriage, the dowry system, and the perceived lack of value of girls.
Child marriage has negative effects on the health of girls, including significantly increased risk of maternal death and morbidity, infant mortality and morbidity, obstetric fistula, and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Most countries with high rates of child marriage have a legally established minimum age of marriage, yet child marriage persists due to strong traditional norms and the failure to enforce existing laws. Investments in girls’ schooling, creating safe community spaces for girls, and programs to build skills for out-of-school girls are all effective and demonstrated strategies for preventing child marriage by addressing conditions of poverty, low status, and social norms that contribute to child marriage.
It is the policy of the United States to seek the elimination of the practice of child marriage. The Administrator is authorized to use funds made available under this chapter for programs to prevent the incidence of child marriage in partner countries through the promotion of educational, health, economic, social, and legal rights of girls and women. In providing assistance authorized under subsection (c), the Administrator should give priority to— areas or regions in developing countries in which 40 percent or more of girls under the age of 18 are married; and activities to— expand and replicate existing community-based programs that are successful in preventing the incidence of child marriage; establish pilot projects to prevent child marriage; and share evaluations of successful programs, program designs, experiences, and lessons.