Reproductive health complications: 

Child marriage and child prostitution exposes children to early child bearing when they are not physically and psychologically mature to assume roles of childbearing and child rearing. Among the consequences of child marriage is maternal mortality.  The risks of death associated with pregnancy and childbirth is five times higher in girls under the age of 15 years then those who are between 20 and 24 years old.

Children are more likely to contract sexual transmitted diseases including HIV even if they are married. The risk is higher especially when the child marries or has sexual relations with someone who is much older than them.

Vulnerability to physical violence:

Because of the socially weak position in which girls and women are in they are more likely to become victims of emotional, physical and sexual violence.

Physical and psychological affects:

Child marriage and child prostitution has been associated with negative psychosocial affects on children, as well as psychological, emotional and intellectual consequences.  Child marriage and child prostitution disrupts children’s education and opportunities and leaves them illiterate and vulnerable to poverty and economic abuse. When children are exposed to such abuse they are have a higher chance of experiencing psychological and mental problems.

 Economic affects:

Children who are married and those in prostitution often become victims of economic abuse, as they do not have the means of supporting themselves financially and materially.  This makes many children stay in unhappy marriages because they have nowhere else to go and no other means of survival.

ACJ/LifeSavers