BY NYASHA DUBE-The increase in child marriages, particularly in rural areas, remains a worrying trend despite efforts by various civil society organizations to educate communities against this social ill. The trend is mainly probed by poverty, cultural and religious beliefs, as well as peer pressure amongst the young and adolescents themselves. This article unpacks the issue of child marriages, it’s impacts on the girl child and what needs to be done to put a stop to this trend.
Some of the questions one might have regarding this issue are:
- What could be causing the continuous increase in child marriages especially during this 21st century where people are being enlightened against this practice?
- How is this affecting the girl child physically, emotionally, academically etc
- How severe is this problem in rural areas, what’s the worst that could happen if it continues.
- What can be done to correct this social ill and make communities understand it’s short comings?
The questions are answered in-depth by Ngonidzashe Sesemani who is a motivational speaker, life coach as well as founder and director of Greatness Hub.
Causes:
There seems to be limited flow of information especially in rural areas regarding child marriages and it’s negative impacts, that’s why it is continuously increasing. People are not aware of it’s dangers to the girl child and the community as a whole.
Religion and culture are two aspects that are also playing a crucial part in perpetuating child marriages. If you look at for instance apostolic sects, an old man can marry a girl below 16 years of age and justify it as part of religion. The same is happening with that cultural aspects which have become a norm.
There’s also lack of self esteem and confidence building programs in rural areas. Girls are groomed to believe that marriage is the greatest achievement for a woman. They grow up expecting to find a partner and get married. This is also worsened by poverty.
The gap in legislations regulating issues of marriage, and age of sexual consent. For instance the Marriage Bill does not align with the Criminal Law and Codification Act. According to the constitution, a child below 16 years of age cannot consent to sex whereas the legal age of majority is 18. A situation where a 17 year old can consent to sex but is still regarded as underage according to the legal age of majority creates discord.
Our justice systems and referral pathways are very weak. There is lack of justice from grassroot level to the judiciary level. So many crimes against the girl child are being covered up, or you might find that the sentencing is too linient.
Effects:
This practice affects the wholistic wellbeing of the girl child.
Girls are forced to drop out of school before acquiring basic education and without education, their access to employment opportunities and social services is jeopardised.
Emotionally and psychologically the girl child is affected. For instance if a girl aged 15 is married to a 40year old, she I not mature enough and her opinions are not sound hence she cannot make any decisions regarding even her own body.
Health wise, if an underage falls pregnant, physically her body is not ready and there could be life threatening complications such as still birth, operation or even dying during delivery.
They also tend to be victims of gender based violence, emotional and sexual violence, because even on the day when she doesn’t feel like being intimate, she has no power to say no.
Recommendations:
There’s need to come up with data on child marriages so as to show the seriousness of the problem.
Coming up with clear messages when educating communities
Strengthening justice systems through imposing tough sentences on perpetrators of child marriages.
Coming up with programs that empower the girl and boy child so the know the importance of being independent before marriage.
Strengthening the social system ie families, communities that are supposed to protect the girl child.
Reviewing laws and aligning them so they do not create discord.
According to statistics by UNICEF, more than 15 million girls worldwide are married off below the age of 15, meaning that more than 15 million men are perpetuating child marriage and an even bigger population is in support of this malpractice directly or indirectly. There is dire need to step up education and awareness campaigns on this issue and create communities that protect and empower the girl child.