Refugee Brides: What Should Germany Do About its Child Marriage Problem?

 

By Chris Harris

Germany is on the frontline of controversial debate that has put European governments in a quandary – whether to recognize child marriage.

The dilemma is a legacy of Europe’s migration influx, which has seen more than a million refugees and migrants arrive in Germany over the last two years.

Denmark and The Netherlands have also been grappling with the issue, which UNICEF claims can lead to a lifetime of deprivation and disadvantage, putting the child at greater risk of falling pregnant early, dropping out of school and being in a violent relationship.

There were 1,475 married children living in Germany last summer, according to official figures, but some NGOs say this figure could be much higher.

Terre Des Femmes (TDF) says around a quarter of the children were assumed to be under 14, with one, a 13-year-old pregnant girl, thought to have married at 11. 

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Source: euronews.