Climate Change Leads to More Child Marriages

By Claire Campbell

Topic: Climate Change

Friday, July 10, 2026, at 5:04 am

Runa, 15, had to leave school when she got married.

In short:

Natural disasters in Asia cause more child marriages.

Aid groups worry about this year's El Niño.

What's next?

Advocates want more money to stop child marriages.

Runa was 15 when she married a man she didn't know.

A cyclone destroyed her family's animals and income.

Runa's mom lost her job due to the disaster.

She couldn't support Runa and her brothers.

Runa's mom arranged her marriage.

12 million girls will be child brides this year.

Child marriage is a global problem.

It's linked to inequality, poverty, and social norms.

Climate change makes child marriage worse.

People in Bangladesh often flee their homes.

Climate change impacts cause more child marriages.

Financial stress causes child marriages.

Families don't invest in girls.

Climate change makes natural disasters stronger.

Many families in Bangladesh lost homes and farms.

Child marriages increase after disasters.

South Asia has the most child marriages.

Bangladesh has the highest child marriage rate in Asia.

Runa had to leave school after getting married.

She wanted to study, not get married.

Runa is lucky to be back in school.

Runa is happy to study again.

She wants her son to have a good education.

Runa shares her story to help other girls.

El Niño will make child marriages worse.

Girls who marry young often lose their dreams.

More than 50% of girls in Bangladesh marry before 18.

The right support can help girls achieve their goals.

Making life safe for girls is enough.

El Niño will increase the risk of child marriages.

El Niño is hard to predict.

This year's El Niño will be very strong.

It will cause more rain and droughts.

It may trigger hurricanes.

We need to work together to help Bangladesh.

Funding should focus on climate-resilient livelihoods.

South Asia has the most child marriages.

Girls are affected by climate change.

A new report looks at how climate change affects girls.

Australia will require climate and gender goals in aid.

The link between climate change and child marriage is clear.

Governments have been slow to recognize the link.

Aid programs should focus on social impacts.

Child marriage affects the future of countries.

This is a call to action for governments.

Australia is committed to ending child marriages.

Australia supports programs to address child marriage.

Gender equality and climate action are core to Australia's aid.

Floods have damaged homes and livelihoods in Nepal.

No region will meet the 2030 goal to end child marriage.

Child marriage is a coping strategy for families.

Child marriage can be solved with funding and resources.

Shreya Ghosh says child marriage is solvable.

Strong responses are needed during disasters.

Work should continue when things are calm.

More women and girls should be involved in tackling child marriage.

They are not speaking about how the issue affects them.

Floating farms are expanding in Bangladesh.

Building climate-resilient livelihoods is critical.

Plan International teaches girls digital skills.

In Cambodia, child marriage rates have dropped.

A community-based approach can prevent child marriage.

Investing in girls has a generational impact.

Friday, July 10, 2026, at 5:04 am

Friday, July 10, 2026, at 8:49 am

See more ABC coverage.

Praticar Escuta