Child Marriage Has Fallen in Ethiopia, but UNICEF Says the Work Is Far From Done

UNICEF released new figures on October 12 about child marriage in Ethiopia. Among young women, the share married before age 18 fell from 40% in 2016 to 32% in 2025. That is meaningful progress, but 32% also shows that the problem still affects many girls.

The agency points to government leadership, community action and programs that help girls stay in school and receive protection. Ethiopia is preparing a second national costed roadmap to end child marriage and female genital mutilation for 2026–2031. It is intended to set priorities, responsibilities and ways to track results.

UNICEF stresses education, health care, protection services and girls’ participation in decisions about their own futures. A comparison between two years does not prove the contribution of each individual measure; that would require more research. The practical test now is whether the new roadmap is funded and whether improvements reach girls across different regions. Staying in school and having access to support can give more girls the freedom to choose their own paths.

Source

• Official release