What is child marriage in Africa?
Child marriage is a human rights violation taking place on a vast scale in West and Central Africa which disproportionately affect girls. Girls who marry young often drop out of school and face physical risks, especially during pregnancy.
Why is child marriage common in Africa?
This is due to social stereotypes that categorize girls as domestic wives who stay in the home to cook, clean and bear children. Another reason is that most child marriages take place in poverty-stricken areas and they cannot afford to pay for an education or do not have access to education near them.
What is the age of marriage in Africa?
The Marriage Act 25, 1961. Girls under 18 years but older than 15 years need their parents’ consent to get married. If they are under the age of 15, they also need the consent of the Minister of Home Affairs.
How many children are married in Africa?
Across Africa, 125 million girls and women alive today were married before their 18th birthday. More than 1 in 3 young women in Africa were married in childhood, and 1 in 10 before their 15th birthday. In Central, Southern and Eastern Africa, at least 30 per cent of young women were married before age 18.
What are the causes of child marriage?
Causes of Child Marriage:
- Poverty.
- Gender discrimination.
- Tradition and culture.
- Inadequate laws.
- Poor implementation of laws.
- Lack of awareness.
- Insecurity of their daughter’s future.
- Perceived low status of girls.
What are the main effects of child marriage?
Child marriage ends childhood. It negatively influences children’s rights to education, health and protection. These consequences impact not just the girl directly, but also her family and community. A girl who is married as a child is more likely to be out of school and not earn money and contribute to the community.
Which country has the highest rate of child marriage in Africa?
Mali has one of the highest child marriage prevalence rates in the world, with an estimated 55% of girls being married before they turn 18 and 15% being married before they turn 15.
Where is child marriage legal in Africa?
Most countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have laws on the minimum age for marriage, ranging from age 13 in Iran to age 20 in Tunisia for females, and from age 15 in Yemen to age 21 in Algeria for males (see table).
Which African countries still practice child marriage?
The prominent countries in child marriage were; Niger (81.7%), Chad (77.9%), Guinea (72.8%), Mali (69.0%), Nigeria (64.0%). However, Rwanda reported 16.5%, Lesotho had 29.3%, and Namibia showed 31.3%. Details of women’s age at marriage below 18 years are presented in Fig.
What are the causes and effects of child marriage?
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).
What are the solutions to child marriage?
Solutions to End Child Marriage
- Empower girls with information, skills and support networks.
- Provide economic support and incentives to girls and their families.
- Educate and rally parents and community members.
- Enhance girls’ access to a high-quality education.
- Encourage supportive laws and policies.
How can we stop child marriage in Africa?
“There is no single solution for ending child marriage,” Odhiambo said. “African governments should make a commitment to comprehensive change that includes legal reform, access to quality education, and sexual and reproductive health information and services.” Many factors contribute to child marriage.
Which country is No 1 in child marriage?
Niger has the highest overall prevalence of child marriage in the world. However, Bangladesh has the highest rate of marriage involving girls under age 15. South Asia is home to almost half (42 per cent) of all child brides worldwide; India alone accounts for one third of the global total.
Is child marriage legal in Africa?
Legal Basis for Child Marriage in Niger
An amendment to the Civil Code changed the legal age for marriage for both boys and girls to 21 years (Civil Code, Art. 144, 148 and 158), even though children could still be given into marriage at a younger age with their parents’ consent.
What is the main cause of child marriage?
There are many factors which are considered to be the reasons for the prevalence of child marriages. Some of them are Gender inequality, social norms, perceived low status of girls, poverty, lack of education, safety concerns about girl children and control over sexuality.
What are the main causes of child marriages?
Why it happens. Child marriage is rooted in gender inequality and the belief that girls and women are inferior to boys and men. It is made worse by poverty, lack of education, harmful social norms and practices, and insecurity. Its drivers vary between communities and it looks different across the world.
Who started child marriage?
In Ancient Greece, early marriage and teenage motherhood for girls existed. Boys were expected to marry in their teens, as well. In the Roman Empire, girls were married from age of 12 and boys from age 14. In the Middle Ages, under English civil laws derived from Roman laws, marriages before the age of 16 existed.
How can we prevent child marriage?
Three simple actions against child marriage
- Report any child marriage happening around you to the proper authorities.
- Educate your friends, family and community about why child marriage is harmful.
- Promise to never be a part of any event that promotes child marriage.