Sanaa, Yemen (CNN) — UNICEF expressed its deep sorrow over the death of a 12-year-old Yemeni girl who died while giving birth, a year after being married to a 24-year-old man. The organization reiterated its belief that forced child marriage is a grave violation of children’s rights, describing her death as a tragedy.
“It is with profound sadness that we learned of the death of 12-year-old Fawzia Yousef in Yemen,” said UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman in a statement. “Fawzia was forced to marry a man at least twice her age, became pregnant, and died along with her baby after three days of suffering during childbirth.”
A statement from the UNICEF Executive Director explained that pregnancy and childbirth for mothers under 15 years of age pose a risk to their lives that is approximately five times greater than the risk of death for women in their twenties during childbirth.
The statement also noted that child marriage deprives children of their childhood, their right to education, and their innocence.
UNICEF called for greater protection of the rights of women and children, especially girls.
On Monday, a child rights organization reported that a Yemeni girl, who was forced to marry a 24-year-old man last year, died during childbirth.
