LEGAL CHALLENGES OF EARLY MARRIAGE AND ADOLESCENT CHILDBIRTH: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING THE LEGISLATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/Keywords:
early marriage, child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, early childbirth, children's rights, family law, criminal law, reproductive health, comparative law, Uzbekistan, legislative reform.Abstract
Early marriage remains one of the most serious human rights and public health challenges affecting millions of children worldwide. Although considerable progress has been achieved in reducing the prevalence of child marriage over the past two decades, the practice continues to undermine the physical, psychological, educational, and socio-economic well-being of children, particularly girls. According to international organizations, girls who marry before reaching adulthood are significantly more likely to discontinue their education, experience domestic violence, face economic dependence, and encounter serious reproductive health complications. One of the most alarming consequences of early marriage is adolescent pregnancy and early childbirth, which substantially increase maternal and infant mortality rates and create long-term social and economic burdens.In Uzbekistan, important legislative reforms have strengthened the protection of children's rights by establishing 18 years as the minimum legal age for marriage and introducing criminal liability for facilitating unlawful marriages involving minors.
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