Climate change becoming a major driver of increase child marriage across Asia and the Pacific?

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Runa, a committed student, was forced to drop out of school when she got married at the age of 15.

In short:​

The growing intensity of natural disasters across Asia is leading to increasing numbers of child marriages of girls, according to aid organisations.



They're worried this year's El Niño could exacerbate the issue of child marriage.

What's next?​

Advocates are calling for funding and resources around child marriage to be better integrated into climate change response and resilience programs.

Runa was 15 when she married a man she had never met.

Cyclone Remal had ripped through her camp in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar region, killing her family's chickens and ducks, which were the source of both their food and income.

Runa's mother, who had become the sole income earner after her husband died a year earlier, then lost weeks of labouring work due to the natural disaster.

She could no longer financially support Runa, now 17, and her three brothers.

"She felt she had no choice but to arrange my marriage," Runa told the ABC.
Twelve million girls are tipped to become child brides this year, according to Plan International.

Child marriage is a global problem across cultures and religions.

It is often inherently linked to gender inequality, poverty, food insecurity, and social norms and practices, including family honour and dowry payments.

Climate change is now believed to be a leading contributor to more frequent and younger nuptials.

People are regularly forced to flee rural areas of Bangladesh. (AP: Fatima Tuj Johora)
"Whenever there is a climate change impact … we see a spike in child marriage," said Plan International's Tanushree Soni.

"Financial stress is the trigger.
"The families look to lessen the burden because they don't consider girls to be part of their own families; they consider girls to be part of their [future] husband's family.

"So investing in girls is not a choice they can afford to make."

While climate change is not believed to be increasing the number of tropical storms worldwide, scientists and meteorologists say a warmer atmosphere and rising sea temperatures and levels are increasing their intensity, and the impact they have on communities.

Many families have lost homes and farms due to flooding in Bangladesh. (AP: Mahmud Hossain Opu)
After a natural disaster in Bangladesh, child marriages can surge by up to 39 per cent, according to the International Rescue Committee.

South Asia, one of the most vulnerable regions to the impacts of climate change, accounts for most of the world's child marriages.

Bangladesh has the highest rate in Asia according to Plan International, with more than 50 per cent of girls married before they turn 18.

Getting married meant Runa had to drop out of school to focus on being a wife and, soon after, a mother.

"I did not want to get married. I wanted to continue my education," she said.

"The decision made me feel very sad and helpless."

But Runa is, in some ways, one of the lucky ones because a few years later her husband's family allowed her to return to her studies.

Runa was forced to drop out of school when she got married but has since been allowed to return with the help of aid organisations. (Supplied: Plan International)
"It makes me feel happy and hopeful about my future," she said.

"I also want to make sure that my son receives a good education and has opportunities to achieve his dreams."

Runa wanted to share her story to "help prevent other girls from being married before they are ready".

El Niño expected to 'intensify' child marriage rate​

Kamrul Hasan Shawon said he too often met girls who aspired to be doctors, pilots or even entrepreneurs lose sight of those goals when they became child brides.

More than 50 per cent of girls are married before they turn 18 in Bangladesh. (Reuters: Damir Sagolj)
The climate change and resilience program manager for Plan International in Bangladesh said, with the right pathways, these girls would go on to "work wonders" if they were not married off.

"Making life safe for them is enough," he said.

But Mr Shawon is worried this year's El Niño would "intensify" the risk of child marriage in the country.

"We are facing climate experiences almost every year and El Niño will affect us dearly,"

he said.

This year's El Niño is predicted to be among the strongest ever recorded.

It is forecast to increase rainfall ⁠in Central Asia, the southern parts of South America, the US and parts of the Horn of Africa.

It could cause drought ⁠in Australia, Indonesia, parts of Asia and Central America, and trigger hurricane formation in the central and eastern Pacific.

"We really need to work hand in hand [with Australia and other countries] because when Bangladesh is struggling … the struggle will eventually reach out to Australia and other parts of the world," Mr Shawon said.