The term ‘child marriage’ is used to describe a legal or customary union between two people, of whom one or both spouses are below the age of 18. While boys can be subjected to child marriage, the practice affects girls in greater numbers and with graver consequences. Child marriage is often referred to as ‘early’ and/or ‘forced’ marriage since children, given their age, are not able to give free, prior and informed consent to their marriage partners or to the timing of their marriage.

While the practice of child marriage is a global issue affecting most regions, it is most common in South Asia and in West and Central Africa, where two out of five girls marry or enter into union before the age of 18, 46% and 41%, respectively.

How to prevent child marriages? – The Express Tribune