A/HRC/41/19 3. Lack of data and evidence on child, early and forced marriage in humanitarian settings 28. Several submissions highlighted the very limited amount of data in this regard, including disaggregated data on and evidence of the drivers, scale and nature of child, early and forced marriage and on how the practice varies across different humanitarian situations, from natural disasters to conflict situations. For example, in the Arab region, despite the existence of some data indicating an increase in the incidence of child marriage among displaced populations, it is not enough to determine the rate of fluctuations during or resulting from conflict.24 Research indicates that child marriage is difficult to track, because no formal certificates are issued and the civil registration system barely functions during crises. At times, the practice is kept secret between the two families concerned.25 There may be other factors relating to the methodological and contextual challenges regarding the collection of information on gender-based violence, including child, early and forced marriage, such as security concerns for survivors and those collecting information, a lack of available or accessible response services and difficulties in accessing information and survivors. Research indicates that, in order to address those challenges, it is necessary to carry out large-scale population-based surveys during periods of conflict or acute emergencies. However, the fact that the resources available for service delivery are often limited could, in turn, considerably limit the resources available for rigorous research. 26 29. The lack of data and evidence gives rise to challenges for the design and implementation of programmes seeking to address effectively the needs of women and girls in particular, and for interventions aimed at preventing and eradicating child, early and forced marriage in humanitarian settings. According to a recent review of the existing evidence on child marriage, it has been demonstrated in the small amount of available literature on the practice in humanitarian settings that, while pre-existing drivers of child marriage, such as gender-based discrimination, are aggravated, concerns about protection will have a negative impact on access to education and economic opportunities for women and girls. The review highlighted a significant gap in the evidence on effective interventions to address child, early and forced marriage in humanitarian settings – evidence that could guide future initiatives – and also emphasized the lack of data on the prevalence of child, early and forced marriage in such settings.27 Given the complexities faced by practitioners and researchers in humanitarian settings, it is recommended to use a combination of approaches, such as realistic evaluations, which can offer rigorous and informative alternative approaches for the purpose of gathering evidence.28 4. Limited funding for child, early and forced marriage programmes in humanitarian settings 30. In order to prevent harmful traditional practices, multi-year investment is required to tackle social norms and change behaviours according to which practices such as child, early and forced marriage are condoned. According to the submissions by UNICEF and World Vision, such interventions are often not automatically reflected or integrated in humanitarian programmes, nor are they considered life-saving. In the absence of sufficient resources, therefore, they are considered as less of a priority. 24 25 26 27 28 UNICEF and others, “Child marriage in humanitarian settings: spotlight on the situation in the Arab region”. UN-Women submission and UNICEF and others, “Child marriage in humanitarian settings: spotlight on the situation in the Arab region”. Maureen Murphy and others, “Evidence brief: what works to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls in humanitarian settings?”. Julie Freccero and Audrey Whiting, Toward an end to child marriage: Lessons from Research and Practice in Development and Humanitarian Sectors (Berkeley, University of California Berkeley School of Law and Save the Children, 2018), p. 51. Ibid. and Mazeda Hossain and Alys McAlpine, Gender based violence research methodologies in humanitarian settings: an evidence review and recommendations, (Cardiff, Elhra, 2017). 9