Across Southeast Asia, Covid Puts Girls at Risk

Too many doomed to child marriage, vulnerability to predators

By Purple Romero

The Covid-19 pandemic, which has afflicted more than 1,3 million people across Southeast Asia, is having an alarming effect on girls, fostering dependence on men and marriage for survival. Suci Apriani, an Indonesian child and women’s rights advocate, for instance, said her group’s caseload has spiked from three to 25 so far this year.

I…