The first ordinance dealing with marriage was enacted in nigeria in 18633. The first is the statutory elaboration of the constitutional protection of children, and the second is the suggestion that religious marriages trump childrens rights in nigerias constitutional jurisprudence. Oct 12, 2015 outline child marriage facts child marriage around the world prevalence of child marriage in nigeria few report cases on child marriage why does child marriage happen individual rights denied by child marriage what are the consequences of child marriage recommendations references 3. Legal issues, complications, implications, prospects and solutions. Child marriage is particularly common among nigerias poorest, rural households and the hausa ethnic group. A shocking 76% of girls are married off before they reach their 18 th birthday, whilst 28% become wives before they turn 15 unicef 2016. Child marriage defined as a marital union with a person under the age of 18 affects more girls in nigeria than in all the countries of west africa combined, according to a recent ford.
A major challenge minh cong nguyen and quentin wodon. This work is a result of a series of technical consultations on child marriage. Scourge of child marriage in africa continues human. Nigeria is the 11th highest nation in the world for percentage of child marriages data shows a 9% decline in the prevalence of child marriage compared to 2003. The the causes, consequences and solutions to causes, consequences and solutions tocauses, consequences and solutions to forced forced forced child marriage child marriage child marriage in the developing worldin the developing world testimony submitted to u.
These provide for offences against persons and the state, including homicide, assaultschildren. Problems and challenges of girlchild education in nigeria. Kebbi state, like every other state in northern nigeria, grapples with low girlchild enrolment in school and colleges. Issues, problems and challenges, a paper presented at a one day seminar organised by national open university of nigeria, lagos on the. Traditional marriage in nigeria, as we all know nigeria as a country have rich cultures irrespective of each tribes geographic locations, among these great cultural heritages is marriage traditions just like every other countries in the world. But the global profile of child marriage is changing. Traditional marriage in nigeria, see all the tribes. Scourge of child marriage in africa continues human rights. Nigerias constitution does not specify a minimum age for marriage, but the childs rights act of 2003 set the minimum at 18.
Niger has the highest rate of child marriage in the world. In nigeria, many girls are married and divorced before adulthood nigerias rate of child marriage is among the highest in the world. Are there countryspecific drivers of child marriage in this country. When her family promised her to a middleaged man in nigeria when balkissa was only 12, it wasnt the marriage that scared her the mostit was being forced to. Michelle faul of the associated press tells nprs don gonyea. House of representatives human rights commissions human rights commission. Legality of child marriage in nigeria and inhibitions against realisation of education rights kayode olatunbosun fayokun obafemi awolowo university, ileife, nigeria early marriage forces girls into adulthood before they are emotionally and physically matured, leading to a range of. However, only 23 of nigerias 36 states enforce the act. States under the constitution of new cutting edge elementary students book pdf the federal republic of nigeria. Child marriage not in conformity with nigerian law.
Nigeria, particularly northern nigeria, has some of the highest rates of early marriage in the world. In this region, girls enter marriage and begin their sexual experience when they are young, sometimes as young as 10 years old adebusoye, 2006. Nigeria is the 11th highest nation in the world for percentage of child marriages. In nigeria, particularly northern nigeria has some of the highest rates of early marriage in the world. Nigeria urged to reduce child marriages al jazeera. Agency for international development in nigeria, and the david and lucille packard foundation, among others. This brief has provided a basic profile of child marriage in niger. This is the easiest of all marriage ceremonies in nigeria. The share of girls marrying very early, before the age of 15, has. Abstract there is a framework of ethical oppositions towards same sex marriage that calls for a. Why ending child marriage needs to be an education goal. Indigenous marriage institutions and divorce in nigeria 166 obtains in one society, to a large extent influences that in another society 3,4. Child marriage is often deployed as a response to crisis, considered by families and communities to be the best possible means of protecting children.
Its encouraging that african leaders have put child marriage high on their agenda. Forced child marriage remains a serious issue in niger with the highest rate of child marriage in the world. Section 61 of part i of the 1999 constitution and the protection of children against child marriage tim s braimah research scholar, university of michigan, united states of america. Forced at 15 the west african country of niger has the highest rate of child marriage in the world. Ewelike 1 chidinma kosa ewelike university of alberta, augustana campus. Phd candidate, middlesex university, london, united kingdom summary. Many nigerian parents say the quality of education in the nation is lacking, and that, for their daughters, it cannot be considered a viable alternative to. Child marriage is driven by gender inequality and the belief that women and girls are somehow inferior to men and boys. Usually, it is done in the poor regions, where people force their young children, especially daughters, to get married, quite often to a total stranger.
Combating child marriages in nigeria abstract this paper considers the basis of child marriages in northern nigeria. When the northern states christian association of nigeria can recently met president buhari at his presidential villa 3 nov, they asked him to warn northern nigerias traditional rulers against child marriage. Child marriage in nigeria according to unicef, child marriage is defined as a. The share of girls marrying very early, before the age of 15, has also declined. This tradition jeopardises the future of the young girls. Legality of child marriage in nigeria and inhibitions against. The share of women ages 1822 who married as children is 76. In many cultures, including that of nigeria, marriage is regarded as a legitimate way for two. This tradition jeopardises the future of the young girls forced into such marriages and endangers their health. Women and girls in nigeria 1999 revealed that the aggregate mean age at marriage for female children is 16. It is no gainsay that child marriage is a very controversial issue and one of the strategic ways of addressing controversial issues is to explain the issues in writing as clearly as possible. For instance, in bolivia, almost as many girls in union are using only traditional contraception 27 per cent as are using modern contraceptive methods 25 per cent.
A guide for global policy action makes a strong case for international action, and strengthens the advocacy efforts of development practitioners and womens and childrens rights activists to end child marriage. Listen to 15yearold hamsatou explain how she wants to live her life free from forced marriage. Child marriage refers to a formal or informal union in which at least one of the parties is under 18 years of age. Child marriage briefing nigeria population council. The guardian nigeria newspaper brings you the latest headlines, opinions, political news, business reports and international news. Even when laws making marriage before the age of 18 illegal, as in the united states, child marriage still happens.
This brief has provided a basic profile of child marriage in nigeria. Pdf child marriage in nigeria by chidinma kosa ewelike. The child rights act, passed in 2003, raised the minimum age. A growing child population combined with a slow decline in the practice of child marriage in africa will put millions more girls at risk. But before new jersey banned child marriage once and for all last year, the state allowed an estimated 3,481 children, mostly between the ages of 16 and 17, to married from 1995 and 2012, with the majority receiving parental. A 2017 world bank study suggests that ending child marriage in niger could save the country more than usd25 billion by 2030. Jul 27, 20 justice tajuddeen odunowo rtd child marriage cant be in conformity with the law because the law says anybody that reaches 18 years of age is mature and therefore can vote. Africa, entered their first marriage or union before they celebrated their 18th birthday. The celebration of marriage, meanwhile, also has to meet certain rules and regulations, including. Justice tajuddeen odunowo rtd child marriage cant be in conformity with the law because the law says anybody that reaches 18 years of age is mature and therefore can vote.
This is an indicator of the prevalence of early marriage in. Estimates presented here are based on a subset of 49 african countries with available data covering 97 per cent of the african female population. In nigeria, child marriage is endemic in the north, especially in the northeast geopolitical zones with over 45 per cent of teenage marriages and the highest level of female illiteracy in the country. They said the trend was already gathering a cloud of crisis and would cause a serious crisis if not checked. Eightyfour percent of first births to adolescent girls in nigeria occur within marriage. The issue of child marriage is getting renewed attention among policy makers. Child marriage in nigeria yes or no the issue of child marriage in nigeria has been reignited by nigerias senate, led by senator yerima, bid to reapprove a clause in the constitution that many fear will allow child marriage in nigeria. This was achieved through the marriage ordinance 1914, which applied throughout nigeria.
Legality of child marriage in nigeria and inhibitions against realisation of education rights kayode olatunbosun fayokun early marriage forces girls into adulthood before they are emotionally and physically matured, leading to a range of harmful effects on their health, education, economic and social development. Issues, problems and challenges, a paper presented at a one day seminar organised by. It is an islamic practice rooted in the interpretation of the quran. According to unicef, nigeria has the third highest absolute number of child brides in the world 3,538,000 and the 11th highest prevalence rate of child marriage globally. Nigeria and the ills of child marriage vanguard news. Niger child brides who escaped marriage young forced. Child brides facing death sentences a decade after child marriage prohibited ten years after underage marriage was prohibited, 39% of girls are married before age 15, and two remain on. Outline child marriage facts child marriage around the world prevalence of child marriage in nigeria few report cases on child marriage why does child marriage happen individual rights denied by child marriage what are the consequences of child marriage recommendations references 3. Marriage act 4 years ago admin laws and acts governing the system.
The causes, consequences and solutions to forced child. Barriers to girlchild education in nigeria especially in the north have been identified as poverty, early marriage, cultural and religious misconceptions as well as teenage pregnancy williams, 1960. This statistical profile presents key facts about the past, present and future of child marriage in africa. Despite the efforts of the authorities and partners, the rate of child marriage has barely changed in 20 years. The marriage law in nigeria falls into the last two categories. Child marriage is most common in the north west and north east of nigeria, where 68% and 57% of women aged 2049 were married before their 18th birthday. In nigeria, many girls are married and divorced before. The child rights act, passed in 2003, raised the minimum age of marriage to 18 for girls. Child marriage in nigeria is one of the most painful and disturbing problems in the country. Sep 30, 2017 the celebration of marriage, meanwhile, also has to meet certain rules and regulations, including. That it is held at an approved location between 8am and 6pm on the presence of at least two witnesses.
The merger of northern and southern nigeria in 1914 made it imperative to streamline the marriage laws in the new political entity, nigeria. This is an indicator of the prevalence of early marriage in nigeria shehu, 2002. Since the ratification of the crc, the au charter on the rights and welfare of. It repealed the marriage ordinance 1908, the marriage proclamation 1907, and the foreign marriage ordinance 19. Even in countries where child marriage is less common, the same gender differences are found. The share of women ages 1822 who married as children is 42. For instance, infidelity, infertility, laziness and unhygienic behaviours are some of the major causes of divorce in many societies and women with these attributes are usually returned to their parents. The highest rate of child marriage in the world humanium.
This harmful practice affects niger more than anywhere in the world, and the rate varies considerably between regions. Nov 21, 2016 these are the words expressed by a 15yearold nigerien girl called amina mahamane, who, like countless young girls in niger, belongs to a highly vulnerable group of girls who are forced or coerced into marriage before reaching the age of 18. In nigeria, the practice of child marriage is deeply entrenched in tradition, culture and religion and the country has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with estimated 42 percent of girls married before 18 years. Jan 01, 2016 traditional marriage in nigeria, as we all know nigeria as a country have rich cultures irrespective of each tribes geographic locations, among these great cultural heritages is marriage traditions just like every other countries in the world. Legal framework for the protection of child rights in nigeria code. Ukwuoma talks about his book child marriage in nigeria. Barriers to girl child education in nigeria especially in the north have been identified as poverty, early marriage, cultural and religious misconceptions as well as teenage pregnancy williams, 1960. Kebbi state, like every other state in northern nigeria, grapples with low girl child enrolment in school and colleges. Aug 27, 2019 even when laws making marriage before the age of 18 illegal, as in the united states, child marriage still happens. Nov 15, 2016 when the northern states christian association of nigeria can recently met president buhari at his presidential villa 3 nov, they asked him to warn northern nigerias traditional rulers against child marriage. They said the trend was already gathering a cloud of crisis and would cause a serious crisis if not. Child marriage archives the guardian nigeria news nigeria.
Child, early, and forced marriage and psychological trauma of girls in northeast. In 2017 in nigeria, 43% of girls are married off before the age of 18. Places of worship to be licensed for celebration of marriages. The article refers to a recent article on child marriage in nigeria, published in this journal, as a broad context to examine two issues.
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