The pandemic favors the phenomenon of child brides

In addition to the health effects caused by the pandemic, the effects on the economy have been discussed several times, highlighting the heavy contractions of the gross domestic product of the most advanced states. Evidently the problem exists and causes social problems, which, for now, only social safety nets developed only in the most advanced countries have allowed its containment. The economic crisis of the richer countries has effects in the poorer economies, in countries where the income available to the weaker sections of society is on the verge of survival. The combined effect of the crisis in the richest economies, which cause the decrease in orders and aid to the poorest countries, has generated a reduction in wealth in the nations that has directly impacted on household incomes, significantly reducing a quantity financial available often already insufficient. The exponential increase in inequalities in societies that are not structured for social mobilization has caused other effects to contain the low spending capacity. One of these is the increase in the phenomenon of child brides, who come from the poorest families in a state of severe poverty. This custom is present in Asia and affects an increasing number of adolescents between the ages of 9 and 14, but according to the United Nations, the cases involve girls up to the age of 18; the United Nations itself estimates that the serious problem affects about 12 million girls. The action of humanitarian associations and non-governmental organizations had reduced the phenomenon thanks to an action that favored access to education and more advanced health services for Asian girls. However, the increase in poverty caused by the pandemic has associated a cultural process that has never been canceled with the situation of need of many families, to which must be added the state of financial difficulty of humanitarian and non-governmental associations, which cannot have the necessary liquidity to perform their duties. The phenomenon seems to be underestimated by Western states, engaged in internal problems inherent to health crises and economic problems, but it represents an element that, in addition to the intrinsic gravity of the problem, contributes to maintaining a climate that implies a series of cultural causes that can go to favor the development of situations favorable to radicalism. It should be remembered that the practice of early marriage is typical of many Islamic countries affected by extremism and undermining early marriage could mean undermining radicalism in its cultural foundations. Beyond this vision, the need to raise the incomes of the poorest families must be well-known in order to reduce the poverty that generates inequality and, specifically, traumas deriving from violence and unwanted pregnancies in child brides, also because this practice does not occur only in Islamic communities. but also in Hindu and Christian ones. The action of humanitarian associations and non-governmental movements is essential to continue fighting for the decrease of child brides and the United Nations should also increase their action pending the defeat of the pandemic; Precisely for this reason it would be important that institutions such as the European Union put in their programs the necessary investments to intervene personally and to support those who already work in the field.