Objectives:
This methodology and associated analytical frameworks were pioneered by UNICEF in
The Higher Population Council led partnership with the University of Edinburgh and the study in Jordan.
This study systematically and comprehensively engages with the existing data and a wide range of
respondents to understand why child marriages happen and what can be done to limit marriages
Under the age of 18. In addition, Jordan is the first country to map these social and behavioral drivers of
marriage under the age of 18 onto strategies that are highly likely or proven to be effective at preventing child
Marriages. This analysis will ensure that findings from this innovative study are used to inform evidence-based
programming and policies that are grounded in the context and experiences of Jordan and that are harmonized
with the National Action Plan for Implementing the Recommendations of the “Child Marriage in Jordan”
Study to Limit the Marriage of Individuals under the Age of 18 in Jordan (2018-2022).
The main research questions driving this study are:
• What are the underlying social and behavioral drivers of child marriage in Jordan?
• How do normative beliefs and expectations influence child marriage among different groups and
in what circumstances?; and
• What can be done to address these drivers
Abstract:
Data from the most recent Demographic Health Survey (DHS) shows that child marriage in Jordan, which had
been on a declining trend for decades, seems to be on the rise again. Why is this case?
Jordan is leading efforts globally to build an evidence base for limiting marriages under the age of 18 by being
one of the first countries to undertake and publish results from a national mixed methods study on the Drivers
of Child Marriage. This methodology and associated analytical frameworks were pioneered by UNICEF in
partnership with the University of Edinburgh and the study was led in Jordan by the Higher Population Council.
This study systematically and comprehensively engages with the existing data and a wide range of
respondents to understand why child marriages happen and what can be done to limit marriages
under the age of 18. In addition, Jordan is the first country to map these social and behavioural drivers of
marriage under the age of 18 onto strategies that are highly likely or proven to be effective at preventing child
marriages. This analysis will ensure that findings from this innovative study are used to inform evidence-based
programming and policies that are grounded in the context and experiences of Jordan and that are harmonized
with the National Action Plan for Implementing the Recommendations of the “Child Marriage in Jordan”
Study to Limit the Marriage of Individuals under the Age of 18 in Jordan (2018-2022).
The main research questions driving this study are:
• What are the underlying social and behavioural drivers of child marriage in Jordan?
• How do normative beliefs and expectations influence child marriage among different groups and
in what circumstances?; and
• What can be done to address these drivers?
In order to address these questions, a mixed methods study was developed under the leadership of the
Higher Population Council and guidance from the National Committee to End Child Marriage. This report
details the findings from that mixed methods study which included the following components:
1. A systematic review of the academic and grey literature on the root causes, risk factors and
preventative measures for child marriage in Jordan.
2. A secondary analysis of DHS datasets in order to triangulate this data with findings from the
systematic literature review, and
3. A qualitative study on the social and behavioural drivers of child marriage with 526 individuals
across a variety of groups (parents, extended family members, adolescents, refugees, Dom
community members, policymakers, professionals, community leaders, etc.) from 7 different
governorates (Mafraq, Zarqa, Irbid, Amman, Karak, Ma’an and Jerash) chosen in consultation
with the National Committee to End Child Marriage. Within these qualitative focus groups and
interviews, a short quantitative social norms survey was also conducted and discussed.
“Jordan is the first country to map these social and behavioural
drivers of marriage under the age of 18 onto strategies that are highly
likely or proven to be effective at preventing child marriages.“
