Early marriage is a harmful practice that denies girls their right to make vital decisions about their sexual health and well-being. It forces them out of education and into a life of poor prospects, with an increased risk of violence, abuse, ill health or early death.
Although the Nigerian government has tried to stamp out child marriage with the enactment of the Child Rights Act of 2003, the PRACTICE of child marriage is still prevalent in Northern Nigeria and where Shari’a law is in force. Early pregnancy is one of the most dangerous causes and consequences of this harmful practice. Girls married early are more likely to experience violence, abuse and forced sexual relations due to unequal power relations. They are more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (including HIV), and vesicovaginal fistula. Going to school helps educate and gives girls broad knowledge on choices and opportunities in life, allowing them to play an active role in their communities and break the cycle of poverty. Young girls who are marry early are unlikely to be in school or continue their education or have comprehensive sexuality education which is essential for girls to be able to make informed decisions about their sexual health and well-being. While the Child Rights Act have sharp teeth, it has no strong bite effect because each state in Nigeria has to enact the Act under its own state laws before it is enforceable.
This means that a social evil such as child marriage can be practised in a state that is yet to pass the Child Rights Act as domestic law to be observed by its indigenes Indeed,increasing community awareness of the negative impact of child marriages in our society through continuous advocacy for the rights of the girl child, girls empowerment programs and parents’ education should be a top priority for a better and safe society. Many parents have ignorantly pushed their girls to child marriage as a result of poverty or as a means of curling favor from perceived patrons, regrettably many don’t even know or understand it’s negative impact on the girl child. Hence the increase in parents’ education in this regard would reduce the political-economic problem that arises from such ignorance.
The hoped of this write up are,all relevant stakeholders to include religious and traditional title holders ,Parents and concern authorities should revisit the issue and take all necessary measures to end it . Young Girls are among the strong gift by God to his servants which need proper and extra cares for an egatarian society.
By Mwaranret Bigwa is a student of Mass Communication at Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi