Child marriage in Canada: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Human Rights Law
• Sociology

Background:

• Child marriage is a global human rights violation with detrimental health effects on girls.
• Understanding its prevalence and impact in developed nations like Canada is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the existing literature and news media on child marriage in Canada.
• To assess the frequency and health consequences of child marriage among adolescents in Canada.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of academic databases.
• Analysis of news media reports documenting child marriage cases.
• Examination of census data for adolescent marriage prevalence.

Main Results:

• In 2016, approximately 1% of Canadian 15-19 year olds were in married or common law unions.
• News reports indicate child marriage occurs within specific religious minority communities.
• No nationwide data specifically estimating marriage before age 18 was identified; adolescent marriage patterns show global similarities.

Conclusions:

• Child marriage remains a concern in Canada, particularly affecting girls.
• Further research is required to accurately quantify child marriage rates and monitor progress toward its elimination in Canada.