The emerging themes with regards to impacts of child marriage on children with and without disabilities are strikingly similar. However, the compromised condition under which the marriage takes place for children with disabilities intensifies the consequences and impact of marriage. It does not only affect the overall well–being and quality of life of the child, but also compromises their capacity to cope with and overcome the impact. It thus has a spiralling effect throughout their childhood and beyond also impacting their children. Key recommendations Develop and establish an evidence base, to develop and inform inclusive programming aiming to prevent child marriage and respond to violence against children with disabilities. More research on the prevalence rate of marriage among children with disabilities as well as further research on specific issues and challenges faced by adolescents and youth with disabilities including vulnerabilities for child marriage is needed. Further research to explore how children with disabilities are affected by child marriage across different identity groups in different geographic locations such as intersection with caste/ethnicity/age including different forms of disabilities. Build knowledge and capacity of child protection and professionals working on child marriage programming on the rights, vulnerabilities and capacities of children with disabilities Recommendations for further research This study has demonstrated that marriage among children with disabilities is practiced. This must be acknowledged by the international development community and brought into the current work on policy, advocacy and programming work undertaken on child marriage. There is a need to develop an in-depth understanding of the root causes that produce and sustain various forms of discrimination and exclusion. In addition to immediate preventive measures to stop child marriage, efforts also need to be made towards addressing the sources of discrimination and inequality.
The emerging themes with regards to impacts of child marriage on children with and without disabilities are strikingly similar. However, the compromised condition under which the marriage takes place for children with disabilities intensifies the consequences and impact of marriage. It does not only affect the overall well–being and quality of life of the child, but also compromises their capacity to cope with and overcome the impact. It thus has a spiralling effect throughout their childhood and beyond also impacting their children. Key recommendations Develop and establish an evidence base, to develop and inform inclusive programming aiming to prevent child marriage and respond to violence against children with disabilities. More research on the prevalence rate of marriage among children with disabilities as well as further research on specific issues and challenges faced by adolescents and youth with disabilities including vulnerabilities for child marriage is needed. Further research to explore how children with disabilities are affected by child marriage across different identity groups in different geographic locations such as intersection with caste/ethnicity/age including different forms of disabilities. Build knowledge and capacity of child protection and professionals working on child marriage programming on the rights, vulnerabilities and capacities of children with disabilities Recommendations for further research This study has demonstrated that marriage among children with disabilities is practiced. This must be acknowledged by the international development community and brought into the current work on policy, advocacy and programming work undertaken on child marriage. There is a need to develop an in-depth understanding of the root causes that produce and sustain various forms of discrimination and exclusion. In addition to immediate preventive measures to stop child marriage, efforts also need to be made towards addressing the sources of discrimination and inequality.
PlanInternationalNorwayChildMarriageandDisabilityReport.docx