Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Integrated Regional Information Networks - December 10, 2004
JOHANNESBURG (PLUSNEWS) - Child marriage affects about 51 million girls in developing countries, not only putting women at risk of contracting HIV, but also promoting poverty, the International Centre for Research on Women has said.
The Centre's president, Geeta Rao Gupta, said the practice, which is "common" in India, South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, has "negative and lasting" consequences for women's health, education and overall economic development.
It "perpetuates poverty", because girls stop going to school when they get married and subsequently miss out on "economic opportunities".
Rao Gupta was quoted by the Chicago Tribune as saying: "What we are trying to do is encourage economic growth and equity in society, and both those things are negatively affected by child marriage."
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