The report, titled “Breaking Barriers: Addressing Child, Early and Forced Marriage in Eurasia,” examines the situation in seven countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan – and reveals that existing legal frameworks and policies often fail to provide effective protection.
Girls, particularly those from low-income households, rural areas, and conflict-affected regions, are disproportionately affected by CEFM, leading to severe consequences for their lives and well-being. The report emphasizes that inadequate law enforcement, social stigma against survivors, and weak sanctions for offenders contribute to the ineffectiveness of measures to combat child marriage.
Dariana Gryaznova, Eurasia Legal Advisor for Equality Now, stated, “Child, early, and forced marriages remain one of the most pressing human rights violations faced by girls and women across Eurasia. Governments must urgently strengthen legal protections, ensure laws are rigorously enforced, and allocate the necessary resources to end CEFM.”
Among the countries studied, only Georgia and Azerbaijan have set the minimum age for marriage at 18 without exceptions, while others still allow marriages under 18 with parental consent or local authority approval.
