Child Marriage and Adolescent Pregnancy in Mozambique: Policy Brief

Child marriage is one of Mozambique’s most serious but largely ignored development challenges – requiring far greater attention from policy makers Child marriage rates are still very high despite a long-term decline, especially in marriage before the age of 15. Economic pressures and the incentive of bride price appear to be powerful factors driving parents to marry off their daughters at a young age. The high rates of child marriage cannot be allowed to continue without a vigorous response from the government, civil society and development partners.