Although child marriage has been a major issue of concern in Africa for years, the problem is still on the rise. Despite efforts by the government and civil society organizations to curb the practice, many girls continue to be married off at a young age. This article explores the causes and consequences of child marriage in rular Africa and what can be done to end this harmful practice.
According to statistics twelve million girls globally get married before the age of 18, for instance Malawi is one of the top ten countries with the highest rate in child marriages in Africa , from a research fine by UNICEF, approximately 50 percent females between the ages of 20 to 24 were married , that's 23.4 percent less than the 2.2 percent number of males married at the same age.
In districts like Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Lilongwe and Blantyre Rural, Mzimba, Chikwawa , Salima, just to mention a few . It can be said every area across the 28 districts in Malawi are facing the problem, and in every community atleast 6 out of 10 girls get married before the age of 18 .
First and foremost the domain cause of this problem is Poverty, the lack of financial muscle is a major driver of child marriage in Africa countries, Families living in poverty may see marrying off their daughters as a way to reduce the number of mouths to feed and to receive a bride price. They may also believe that their daughters will have a better life if they are married off, even if they are very young. Additionally, girls from poor families may be more likely to drop out of school and be married off early, as their families may not be able to afford school fees or other costs associated with education. This can be seen in a story of Esnet ( BBC EYE documentary )a 15 year old girl in Lilongwe, Malawi who was married off due to the economic status , the only way to survive as the first born daughter was to get married.
Still looking at the causes , Cultural norms and traditions also play a role in child marriage in African localities. it is seen as the norm for girls to marry at a young age, and families may face social pressure to marry their daughters off. In some cases, families may believe that their daughters will bring shame on them if they are not married by a certain age. Additionally, in some communities, girls may be married off to pay off a family debt or to settle a dispute.
The mentioned causes above can be linked to lack of education which is another key factor in child marriage in the land of Africa . Girls education status quo is below ,According to the UNFPA report, the primary school enrollment rate for girls in rular areas across Africa is around 60%, which is significantly lower than the primary school enrollment rate for boys (around 70%). In addition, the secondary school enrollment rate for girls is only around 30%, compared to around 40% for boys. This indicates that many girls are not receiving the education they need. Additionally, the dropout rate for girls is higher than the dropout rate for boys, especially at the secondary school level.
In some cases, families may choose to marry off their daughters rather than send them to school, as they see marriage as a more practical option. Additionally, girls who are married off often have to drop out of school to take care of household responsibilities, and they may not have the opportunity to pursue further education.
"Child and early marriages are robbing girls of their childhood, and their future." As pointed out by Chatterjee in Malawi Human Rights Commission a document explaining the children's rights standards and child marriage.
It states that these kind of marriages robs girls from their childhood, as they are often forced to take on adult responsibilities, and it can limit their opportunities for education and economic advancement.
The critical consequence of child marriage is gender-based violence , the abuse that is there because of the age gap between women who married younger to older men is the fore front of why there are High rates of GBV , and every year from November to December, countries under UN campaigns the 16 days of activism against the gender based voilence , the UNFPA report, more than half of all married girls experience some form of violence from their husbands or partners. This can include physical, emotional, or sexual violence, and it can have long-term consequences for girls' physical and mental health. In addition, many girls who experience gender-based violence in marriage may not have the resources or support to leave an abusive relationship.
Child marriages not only as a human rights crisis but also as health and social hindrances for girls.9
The question is with all this happening are there any laws ?
The answer is Yes , ". Africa continent is part to several international and regional human rights instruments that can address issues of cultural practices that lead to child marriage".In complying with the requirement of enacting legislation as a first step towards the implementation of international standards on the protection of children’s rights in general, and child marriagein particular, Constitutions of diffrent governments consists of the Bill of Rights with specific provisions on children’s rights.In addition, countries like Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania just ti state a few have enacted several pieces of relevant legislation: the Child Care,Protection and Justice Act; the Marriage,Divorce.
Still in the case of Malawi, Women Lawyers Association, a union by the female lawyers in the country are combating the crisis in conducting awareness campaigns, Mrs Chisomo Nyemba the President of the union disclosed that they have mobile clinics that deals with awareness and they are giving a voice for the women and girls around rular communities of Malawi.
Particularly, Senior to Traditional chiefs have started playing a crucial role in promoting girl child education as we have seen recent stories from the media, ministry of gender and other institutions like Non Governmental Organisations working hand in hand with the locals to bring the much needed change.
What must be done?
To effectively address the issue of child marriage, a number of individual and community-level interventions are needed. First, individuals must be educated about the negative consequences of child marriage and encouraged to delay marriage until adulthood. Additionally, economic empowerment programs can help to ensure that families have other options besides marrying off their daughters. Finally, access to sexual and reproductive health services, including access to birth control, is critical to help girls avoid unwanted pregnancies and child marriages.
So it starts with me Now, As a girl, I can play an important role in combating child marriage by speaking out against the practice and advocating for change, helping to educate my peers and those around me about the negative consequences of child marriage and the importance of staying in school. I can also support and empower other girls who may be at risk of child marriage. And finally, standing up for my own rights as well as making decisions about your my own future.
This should not only be a continuous story , article and an issue where we can get funds or donations to be kept in our pockets. Each one of us has the role to play , From the Executive body to the lower local individual.
There's a great quote by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan that captures the importance of educating girls: "Educating girls is not just the right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do. An educated girl becomes a healthier woman, a more effective parent, a more productive worker, and a more responsible citizen. Investing in girls' education yields high returns for individuals, families, communities, and nations."
