EARLY MARRIAGE: The forbidden Culture

Child marriage is rooted in gender inequality and in the low value accorded to girls, and is exacerbated by poverty, insecurity and conflict. It denies girls their rights, choice and participation, and undermines numerous development priorities, hindering progress towards a more equal, health. Reports suggest that every year, an estimated 15 million girls aged under 18 are married worldwide with little or no say in the matter. In the developing world, one in nine girls is married before her 15th birthday and some child brides are as young as eight or nine. With little access to education and economic opportunities, they and their families are more likely to live in poverty.

Neither physically nor emotionally ready to become wives and mothers, these girls are at far greater risk of experiencing dangerous complications in pregnancy and childbirth, becoming infected with HIV/AIDS and suffering domestic violence. With little access to education and economic opportunities, they and their families are more likely to live in poverty. 

Why is it important for countries to have a minimum legal age of marriage?

Laws that set a minimum age of marriage are an important way to safeguard boys and girls from being married before they are ready. It is important that children are recognized in the law as being children and that they are accorded the full protection of the law.

Governments need to have clear and consistent legislation that establishes 18 as the minimum age of marriage. Adequate safeguards must be in place to ensure that parental consent or other exceptions are not used to force girls into marriage. The existence of laws that set a minimum age for marriage is an important tool that helps those working to dissuade families and communities from marrying off their daughters as children. In fulfilling this gap some question should be answered…….

• Do all countries have a minimum age of marriage?
• Why should 18 be the minimum age of marriage?
• What does international law say about child marriage?
• How useful are international and regional standards on minimum age of marriage in protecting children from child marriage?
• What are the challenges in enforcing laws that prohibit child marriage?
• Is minimum age of marriage legislation enough to end child marriage? What else is needed?

Men need to stand up to for the rights of girls and say “NO” to child marriage! That is exactly what Wanjala Wafula does in Kenya, working day in, and day out, to convince men that ending child marriage is not just a necessity: it’s their responsibility. 

Lets share these image from GBN(Girl Not Bride) website:

Credit to:GNB site

Share on Google Plus

About Muhsin Hero

This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.