Featuring Oreoluwa Ladoja, the following article originally published at Bell Global Justice Institute voices gender justice, specifically in the realm of girls' marriages.
Child marriage is a widespread issue that poses a significant threat to the well-being of young girls. It is often associated with forced marriages, encompassing various forms such as arranged marriages, human trafficking, and marriages that involve individuals with disabilities who may not provide informed consent. The practice affects millions of girls worldwide, irrespective of region, religion, or culture. It abruptly ends their childhood, jeopardizing their health and prospects. This practice is defined as any union involving individuals below the age of 18, as they cannot provide free and full consent, and it contributes to school dropout rates, especially in Nigeria.
Child Marriage as a Gender Stereotype-Enforced Abuse of Girls in Northern Nigeria
~ Oreoluwa Ladoja
Nigeria has the highest number of primary school dropouts globally, with a significant portion being girls, primarily in the northern regions. Child marriage is prevalent in Nigeria, with 43% of young girls married before their eighteenth birthday, and 17% before they turn 15. The prevalence varies across regions, with the Northern region experiencing the highest rates due to poverty, low educational attainment, and strong cultural and religious traditions. Additionally, the North exhibits a patriarchal society with complex family structures and norms.
In the global context, the age at which girls are married is increasing, but Nigeria, especially in the Northern part, still witnesses a high number of early marriages. Marriage serves various purposes, such as forming social bonds, raising children, and participating in economic and political activities. However, child marriage, compounded by female illiteracy, contributes to adverse health outcomes, including high maternal and infant mortality rates.
Child marriage is a pressing issue, and addressing it requires concerted efforts to challenge deep-seated traditions and improve education and socio-economic conditions, particularly in regions with high prevalence. These efforts are crucial to safeguard the rights and well-being of young girls and to break the cycle of early marriages and their associated challenges.
Despite the increased efforts by the Nigerian government to combat child marriage, it is evident that child abuse crimes continue to rise due to a lack of sufficient funds, support, and awareness to address this pressing socio-economic issue. Child marriage disproportionately affects the least educated, poorest, and rural-dwelling girls, with a significant prevalence in the northern regions of the country. Economic survival is a driving factor for early marriages in impoverished families, as it means one less person to provide for in terms of food, clothing, education, and overall family expenses.
In Northern Nigeria, financial incentives at the time of marriage contribute to the trend of marrying daughters at a young age. Parents receive higher bride prices for daughters married near puberty, making younger brides more expensive. Child marriage is more prevalent in poor regions, with the poorest households often experiencing higher rates. Nigeria's slow economic development and various socio-economic challenges have trapped many of its citizens in a cycle of social problems, and early marriage is one such issue that reflects the nation's image.
Child marriage poses a significant threat to the human rights and well-being of children, particularly girls. It denies them the opportunity to grow, empower themselves, receive education, access healthcare, gain employment, and achieve a higher standard of living. Girls are disproportionately affected, and those from impoverished backgrounds are twice as likely to be married early compared to those from higher-income groups.
Several factors drive child marriage in Northern Nigeria, including poverty, gender inequality, illiteracy, cultural norms, and the economic gain from bride prices. Social and religious pressures, dowry, the presence of caste systems, and the perceived inability of women to work and earn a livelihood independently also contribute to this practice. Daughters are often viewed as burdens and married off to reduce the cost of their care. The role of women is traditionally limited to household chores, procreation, and submission to their husbands and in-laws. Misconceptions about the value of virginity, fears of pre-marital sexual activity, and the desire to control girls' sexuality also play a role in the acceptance of child marriage.
It is deeply troubling that these child brides have no say in the matter; they are forced into marital relationships at an age when they are still trying to understand their own bodies. This often leads to post-traumatic stress and depression due to sexual abuse by their older partners. The consequences of child marriage are far-reaching, affecting not only the individual child but also having broader social and economic costs. Young girls with limited education are more likely to experience violence from intimate partners.
Child marriage is a complex issue deeply rooted in social, cultural, and economic dimensions, as well as pervasive gender discrimination. It is a matter of grave concern, prompting this study to shed light on the vulnerability of the victims. The study seeks to assess the relationship between child marriage and other forms of child abuse and evaluate the extent of Nigerian legal instruments available to combat child trafficking. Furthermore, it aims to serve as a tool for advocacy and awareness-raising, with concrete recommendations for policymakers, legislators, and other stakeholders to combat child marriage in Nigeria, with a specific focus on the northern regions.
A married adolescent is a severe condition. They are often considered ‘women’ by virtue of their marriage but are still children in terms of their age and experience. In the Northern setting, once a girl is married, she is not supposed to socialize with her unmarried peers anymore, especially with the male gender, whereby she's seen as her husband's private property who essentially cuts her off from the social network to which she is accustomed.
Child marriage is a huge issue with ties to tradition. Girls can go from playing with toys to being married as soon as they hit puberty. Even though it’s obvious that poverty and education are huge contributors that feed this occurrence, there is also a need to examine the social norms that play into this.
Providing girls with quality education is a fundamental human right and a driving force for sustainable development. By realizing the objectives of SDG 4 and guaranteeing girls' educational opportunities, we have the potential to revolutionize communities and take substantial strides toward attaining gender equality and the broader spectrum of sustainable development goals.
References:
Al-Zawqari, S. (2013, October 3). Don't use traditional arguments to justify young marriages. Report.
Erulkar, A. S., & Bello, M. (2007). The experience of married adolescent girls in Northern Nigeria.
Learn more about Oreoluwa
Oreoluwa Ladoja is a dedicated professional with a diverse educational background spanning across International Law, Diplomacy, and Criminal Justice. Currently, Oreoluwa is actively engaged in her doctoral studies, pursuing a Ph.D. in Administration of Justice at Texas Southern University, where she also serves as a Graduate Assistant at the School of Public Affairs. With a solid foundation in academia, she has completed her studies with practical experience as a correctional officer at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice where she had direct impeccable experience working with inmates and prison wardens with a deep understanding of the American criminal justice system.
Outside of her academic and professional career, she has a deep commitment to social causes as evidenced by her ownership of a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting less privileged children in Nigeria and her volunteering work with organizations such as The Institute for Criminal Justice Training Reform and Just Initiative. She advocates for the United Nations Association of the United States, focusing on education, peace, law, and security (SDG16).
Oreoluwa is a member of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, Pure Justice, American Association of Criminal Justice, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and Zonta International. She is proficient in English, and Yoruba, and has foundational knowledge of French, reflecting her dedication to effective communication and cross-cultural understanding.
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