Breaking the Cycle: Ending Child Marriage in Costa Rica – The Borgen Project

Report on Child Marriage in Costa Rica and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report analyzes the issue of child marriage in Costa Rica, focusing on its socioeconomic drivers, the nation’s legislative and programmatic responses, and the alignment of these efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Until recently, Costa Rica exhibited one of the highest rates of child marriage in Latin America, a practice that directly impedes progress on multiple SDGs.

Socioeconomic Drivers and SDG Implications

The persistence of child marriage in Costa Rica has been closely linked to socioeconomic factors that create a cycle of disadvantage, undermining key development goals.

The Cycle of Poverty and Inequality (SDG 1 & SDG 10)

Poverty is a primary driver of child marriage. With national poverty rates rising to 21.1% in 2018, economic hardship has compelled families, particularly in rural and less-affluent regions, to marry off young daughters. This practice perpetuates intergenerational poverty, directly challenging the objectives of SDG 1 (No Poverty). Furthermore, the prevalence of early unions in specific communities, including Indigenous groups, highlights deep-seated inequalities, hindering progress toward SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Barriers to Education and Gender Equality (SDG 4 & SDG 5)

Child marriage serves as a significant barrier to female empowerment and education, directly contravening goals for quality education and gender equality.

• Educational Disruption: According to UNICEF data, approximately 70% of married girls aged 15–17 have left the education system, a critical setback for achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education).
• Violation of Rights: The practice strips girls of their autonomy and childhood, reinforcing harmful gender norms. This is a direct violation of SDG 5 (Gender Equality), particularly Target 5.3, which calls for the elimination of all harmful practices, including child, early, and forced marriage.

Health and Well-being Consequences (SDG 3)

Early marriage is strongly correlated with high rates of adolescent pregnancy, posing significant health risks. In Costa Rica, 16% of all births are to mothers under 18, a figure that rises to 27% in rural areas. This trend presents a major obstacle to ensuring SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) for young women and their children.

National Response and Progress Towards the SDGs

Costa Rica has implemented a multi-faceted strategy combining legal reform with social programs to combat child marriage, demonstrating a commitment to the SDG framework.

Legislative Action and Institutional Frameworks (SDG 16)

A landmark achievement was the 2017 law that banned all marriage under the age of 18, closing previous legal loopholes. This legislative action represents a crucial step in building strong and just institutions, in line with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The law has led to a sharp reduction in registered child marriages and has increased national awareness of children’s rights.

Multi-Sectoral Partnerships and Empowerment Initiatives (SDG 17 & SDG 4)

Recognizing that legislation alone is insufficient, Costa Rica has fostered collaborations to address the root causes of child marriage. This approach embodies the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Educational Programs: UNICEF Costa Rica and the Ministry of Public Education have launched initiatives to keep girls in school and encourage studies in science, technology, and mathematics, directly supporting SDG 4.
2. Empowerment and Advocacy: Partnerships with civil society and the private sector aim to amplify the voices of adolescent girls, providing them with leadership skills to advocate for their rights and contribute to policy-making, which is fundamental to achieving SDG 5.
3. Joint Initiatives: Since 2015, a joint initiative involving UNAIDS, UN Women, and UNICEF has worked to reinforce government efforts, creating a comprehensive support system to protect girls.

Persistent Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite significant progress, challenges remain in fully eradicating the practice and achieving related SDG targets.

Informal Unions and Vulnerable Communities

Informal unions involving teenage girls and older men continue to occur, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities like the Ngäbe, where traditional norms persist. These unregistered unions bypass legal protections and require targeted outreach and stronger enforcement to ensure no one is left behind, a core principle of the SDGs.

A Regional Model for Action

Costa Rica’s comprehensive strategy of combining legal reform with education and empowerment programs serves as a powerful model for the region. Continued collaboration between the government, NGOs, and international partners is essential to sustain momentum and build a future where the rights of every girl are protected, fully aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on child marriage in Costa Rica addresses several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis reveals connections to the following goals:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article explicitly links poverty to child marriage, stating it is a key driver, especially in rural areas. It notes that poverty rates rose, “pushing more than 23,000 households into poverty,” which exacerbated the issue.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article highlights the health consequences of child marriage, specifically mentioning high teenage pregnancy rates. It states that “16% of all births occur among girls under 18,” which is a significant public health concern.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The connection between child marriage and education is clearly established. The article reports that “around 70% of married girls aged 15–17 left education entirely,” demonstrating how the practice is a major barrier to girls’ education. It also discusses initiatives to keep girls in school.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – This is the central SDG addressed. The entire article revolves around child marriage, a harmful practice that disproportionately affects girls and is rooted in “gender inequality and cultural norms that limited girls’ autonomy.” The mention of some believing “wife-beating was justified” also points to violence against women.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article discusses the importance of legal frameworks and strong institutions in combating child marriage. The passing of a law in 2017 “banning marriage under the age of 18” is a key example of institutional action to protect children’s rights and end a form of violence against them.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article emphasizes the collaborative efforts required to address child marriage. It mentions partnerships between the Costa Rican government, UNICEF, UN Women, UNAIDS, local women’s rights groups, and civil society organizations as crucial for driving legal reform and social programs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
   • The article’s primary focus is on the efforts to eradicate child marriage in Costa Rica, directly aligning with this target. The 2017 law banning marriage under 18 is a direct policy action towards achieving this.
2. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
   • The article identifies poverty as a root cause of child marriage, stating that “poverty rates fluctuated in recent years with national poverty rising from 20% in 2017 to 21.1% in 2018.” Addressing child marriage is linked to breaking “persistent cycles of poverty.”
3. Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education.
   • The article highlights that child marriage forces girls out of school (“70% of married girls aged 15–17 left education entirely”). Conversely, it mentions initiatives by UNICEF and the Ministry of Public Education “to keep girls in school” as a strategy to prevent child marriage, directly supporting this target.
4. Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services.
   • The article connects child marriage to high teenage pregnancy rates, noting that “16% of all births occur among girls under 18.” This points to a need for better reproductive health services and education for adolescents, which is the focus of this target.
5. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Child marriage is defined in the article as a “violation of human rights.” The legal reform in 2017 that banned marriage for minors is a direct institutional measure aimed at ending a practice that constitutes a form of violence and exploitation against children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several specific statistics and qualitative measures that can serve as indicators to track progress:

• Indicator for Target 5.3: The prevalence of child marriage. The article provides a baseline: “About one in six young women married before turning 18.” The reduction in “registered child marriages” since the 2017 law is a direct measure of progress. This aligns with the official indicator 5.3.1 (Proportion of women aged 20-24 who were married or in a union before age 18).
• Indicator for Target 1.2: The national poverty rate. The article cites specific figures: “national poverty rising from 20% in 2017 to 21.1% in 2018.” Tracking this rate, especially in rural and Indigenous communities, is a key indicator of the economic pressures leading to child marriage.
• Indicator for Target 4.1: School dropout rates for girls. The statistic that “around 70% of married girls aged 15–17 left education entirely” serves as a powerful indicator. A decrease in this percentage would signify progress in keeping girls in school and away from early unions.
• Indicator for Target 3.7: The adolescent birth rate. The article states that “16% of all births occur among girls under 18, rising to 27% in rural areas.” This data point is a direct proxy for the official indicator 3.7.2 (Adolescent birth rate) and can be used to measure the health impacts of child marriage.
• Indicator for Target 16.2: The existence and enforcement of laws protecting children. The article points to the “law banning marriage under the age of 18” passed in 2017 as a key indicator of institutional commitment. The subsequent “sharp reduction in registered child marriages” is an indicator of its effectiveness.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: borgenproject.org