French newspaper claims climate change is fueling child marriages, including girls as young as 12

A French newspaper, Le Parisien, reported that climate change is accelerating child marriages in developing countries, including among girls as young as 12. The outlet linked weather-related disasters to earlier marriages in places such as Bangladesh and Kenya, arguing that destroyed homes and incomes push impoverished families to marry daughters at younger ages. The story relied largely on research from Plan International’s 2026 report, which surveyed 5,000 girls and young women across Bangladesh, Kenya, Peru, Senegal and Zimbabwe. Le Parisien said 36% observed increased child marriage after climate-related disasters, while 11% said they personally experienced it. The paper also described cases involving a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old, both reportedly married after cyclones.