Association between child, early, and forced marriage and extreme weather events: A mixed-methods systematic review

Abstract

This systematic review examines current evidence on the association between extreme weather and child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM). Studies published in English between 1990 and 2022 were identified through ten databases, and independently screened for inclusion followed by data extraction, quality assessment, and narrative synthesis. Of the 20 studies included, CEFM was a major theme in the qualitative studies; quantitative and mixed-method studies noted a positive association between extreme weather and CEFM. Limitations include reporting bias, non-representative samples, and limited geographic coverage. Health professionals and social workers must recognize the complexities surrounding CEFM and extreme weather, which will worsen amid climate change.