Ewha Womans UniversityInstitute for Development and Human Security

COVID-19 is a respiratory syndrome that has since spread worldwide. As of June 1, 2020, over 6.1 million confirmed cases and more than 370,000 deaths have been reported across 219 countries and territories. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a global fatality rate of 3.4%, but this rate varies significantly by country and age group. Importantly, the impact of this public health crisis on girls in developing countries is substantial.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warns that due to the effects of COVID-19, up to 13 million young girls in 114 developing countries (low- and middle-income countries) could face the risk of early marriage over the next decade, and 2 million could be subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). World Vision, the largest international relief and development NGO, forecasts that 4 million girls will be pushed into early marriages over the next two years due to family disruptions and economic crises. According to UNICEF, if parents are infected or die, or if families face reduced income or unemployment, there is a significant risk that children will be forced into labor or that young daughters will be pushed into early marriages to alleviate financial burdens.

Furthermore, the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) anticipates that prolonged home confinement and movement restrictions due to the pandemic will increase the amount of household labor performed by girls and expose them to higher risks of domestic and sexual violence. With the already poor healthcare infrastructure in developing countries, the social disruption caused by the spread of COVID-19 will likely impede the operations of schools and NGOs, frequently depriving girls of their right to education and opportunities for social engagement. Additionally, there is a high risk that girls may face forced early marriages and unwanted pregnancies, infringing on their sexual and reproductive health rights.