Four out of 10 girls in Mozambique are getting married before the age of 18, according to a survey on violence against children released by the government over the weekend.
The authorities say the numbers were recorded in 2019 and believe things have worsened during the coronavirus pandemic.
They say poverty and family pressure are to blame, and have pledged stronger policies to protect girls.
Carla Mendonça, a child protection specialist at the United Nations Children’s Fund in Mozambique, says girls are under pressure to bring in income but also to marry into another household so they are no longer seen as a social and financial burden to their family.
About 7.6% of girls and 2.3% of boys aged between 18 and 24 tested positive for HIV, says Mozambican Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare Nyeleti Mondlane.
Source:Fillafmonline/BBC
