
Child marriage is one of the worst forms of child sexual abuse. Child marriage involves both physical and emotional abuse of the child. In some parts of Nigeria, girls marry only when they are considered ‘mature’, rather than when they attain a certain age. The signs of the supposed “maturity” include: menstruation; the ability to cook, to do household chores, and to manage their husband’s household. The challenge of child marriage in Nigeria is enormous due to its connection with social norms, culture, and religion. Social norms are deeply embedded in communities- affecting the decision-making of members of the committees.
Although early marriages are generally common in Nigeria, child marriage rates vary across the country; with the numbers higher in the northern, compared with the southern region. This is evident from the fact that communities where child marriages are prevalent regard Marriage as a thing of pride, and a young bride is encouraged to share responsibility with her family.
Causes of early marriage
Poverty is a key driver of child marriage in most communities. On average; poorer households marry off their daughters between ages 12 to 18 years, earlier than stable households. Homes that lack resources to train the girl-child in school would rather marry her off to an interested suitor than have her progress in her educational pursuit. Some families regard training of a girl-child in school as a waste of scarce resources and girls from such backgrounds would rather be married off at an early age to a man with affluence that can alleviate the family from poverty.
Furthermore, an adolescent unmarried girl sitting at home is seen as a burden to her parents; not because they do not want to fend for her, but because they have to take care of her ‘dignity’ and ensure she is not defiled before marriage. In communities where girl child marriage is paramount, it is a big thing for a girl-child to “preserve her dignity’ before marriage. There is an unfounded belief that when a girl is married off early, she does not have the opportunity to become promiscuous. This places a heavy societal burden on a young girl.
Ills of early Marriage
Girls that marry at a very young age tend to have little knowledge about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and limited access to its services. They are more likely to get pregnant early, putting them and their babies at risk of adverse health effects. Early pregnancy often leads to Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) or rectovaginal fistula (RVF) as these young girls give birth at a very young age when their bodies are not fit and mature enough to reproduce and deliver a child. Child marriage affects and violates the fundamental rights of women and girls.
Early marriage negatively affects boys as well as girls. Young men often struggle to secure a stable income leading to household poverty, stress and domestic violence. The attendant long-term financial burdens and economic dependence on a spouse increase the risk of physical and mental abuse inside the household. Gender inequality in Nigeria and the vulnerability of women provide a place for further abuse in the same conditions, as well as having fewer opportunities for economic gain. Vulnerability of women give room for more abuses with same having lesser chances of economic advantage.
Recently, a bill was passed by the National Assembly and a majority of senators voted for the marriage of girls from the age of 13 and unfortunately it was passed as a law in Nigeria. This means that if a girl is 13 years old, a man can propose marriage to her and her parents can decide to marry her off to an older man. This is sad, shocking, and disgraceful. While Some countries have moved forward in this regard, Nigeria is still backsliding when it comes to addressing the rights of women and girls.
The challenges of ending the menace of early marriage in Nigeria are attributed firstly to the fact that a number of our political leaders do not fully understand what a girl-child marriage really is. Besides, so many others are blinded by nepotism and religious sentiments. Secondly, communities with the prevalence of early marriage are not fully informed of the consequences of child marriage. The third challenge is that so many do not know the impact and importance of an educated woman in society.
In furtherance of the foregoing, members of the public need to be sensitized on the ills of child marriage and the importance of educating the girl-child. Furthermore, there is a need for a significant representation of the female gender in both the national and state levels of the public lives of the country. By this, the female gender would be able to lend a voice against child marriage and any form of gender violence in society.
Written By Peace Okeshola.