Evidence has shown that child early and forced marriage/unions (CEFM/U) are harmful to the rights and development of girls and adolescents. It has also shown that increasing the minimum marriage age is not enough to eradicate this phenomenon because of the underlying practices of social institutions at the community level. This report details an investigation undertaken when a modification to the Civil Code was approved, then modified, in order to increase the minimum age of marriage in Guatemala. The investigation aimed to identify the norms, practices, and attitudes prevailing in the school, family, religion, government, and economy with regard to CEFM/U. The report concludes that reform of the law on the minimum age for marriage has brought about some change to the practice of child marriage, but its scope is limited. This research recommends actions that cause social disruption by all social institutions to the practices and norms that affect girls and adolescents
