Double Disasters: The effect of cyclones Idai and Kenneth on child marriage in Mozambique

An increasing body of research from disaster-affected contexts across the world points to a marked increase in early marriages during and after disasters. This policy brief explores the situation in Mozambique following the devastating cyclones Idai and Kenneth in Mozambique during the first half of 2019. It analyzes pre-existing drivers for child marriage and how these interacted with the post-cyclone emergency context. Solid data regarding the rates of child marriage after the cyclones is unfortunately not (yet) available. The paper, therefore, builds on existing research and literature, as well as field-based input from humanitarian workers and child rights organizations in the most affected areas: Sofala, Manica and Cabo Delgado provinces. During the course of research for this paper, several cases of child marriage involving girls as young as 13 and 14 years old were found.