The ongoing war in Gaza has triggered a worrying increase in child marriages. Families struggling with displacement, economic hardship, and insecurity are increasingly marrying off teenage daughters, seeing it as a means to protect them and ensure survival. Interviews with girls aged 13 to 16 reveal stories of early pregnancies, miscarriages, and abuse, highlighting the harsh consequences of these marriages. One mother, who lost her husband and eldest son in the conflict, explained, “I thought I was safeguarding my daughters. Fear left me no choice,” after marrying her young daughters to adult men.
Conflict Reverses Progress
Prior to the October 2023 conflict, child marriages in Gaza had been declining. In 2022, 17.8% of marriages involved girls under 18, down from over 22% in 2015. However, recent data from Gaza’s Supreme Shariah Court indicates that 20.6% of marriages in 2024–2025 involve minors, including 627 girls under 15. Humanitarian organizations warn that these numbers likely underestimate the true scale, as many marriages remain unregistered due to the ongoing conflict.
Marriage as a Means of Survival
Families emphasize that early marriage is often driven by fear and necessity rather than tradition. Nearly all of Gaza’s population has experienced displacement, living in tents or temporary shelters. With schools largely closed, some girls have agreed to marriage as a way to regain stability in their lives. “Marriage felt like the only sense of normalcy I could restore,” said a 17-year-old girl affected by the crisis. Gaza law sets the minimum marriage age at 17, but exceptions are granted with parental consent and judicial approval.
Long-Term Risks for Girls
Experts warn that early marriages heighten the risk of domestic violence, health complications, and interrupted education. Amal Siyam, director of the Women’s Affairs Center in Gaza, explains that younger girls are particularly susceptible to abuse and exploitation. High divorce rates among child brides leave many teenagers raising children alone. The combination of war, economic strain, and displacement has intensified social pressures, reversing progress in reducing child marriages.
