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DEVELOPMENTAL
IMPLICATIONS OF EARLY MARRIAGE IN NIGERA
ABSTRACT
This
research work explored the issue of early marriage in Nigeria. It shed light
specifically on reasons behind its perpetuation, its harmful consequences, shows
how it constitutes a barrier to education and enjoyment of human rights by
girls and how it further threatens the development of the country. The findings
from respondents and extensive reading of materials related to early marriage
suggest that early marriage is due to various factors including among others,
the search for economic survival, protection of young girls, peer group and
family pressure, controlling female behavior and sexuality, wars and civil
conflicts, socio-cultural and religious values. It is a violation of girls’
human rights as it deprives her from freedom, opportunity for personal
development, and other rights. It is also a developmental challenge for
population pressure, health care costs and lost opportunities of human
development. It is a barrier to girls’ education as young girls drop out of
school to get married which impacts negatively on the community as a whole and
on the well-being of future generation. This practice stands in direct conflict
with the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); such as the
promotion of basic education, fight against poverty, the prevention of HIV/AIDS
and reduction of maternal mortality rate in sub Saharan Africa and Nigeria in
particular. To deal with the problem, a number of strategies have been
suggested mainly for providing economic opportunities to young girls, promoting
education of girls and using mass media to increase the awareness of the whole
community about the consequences of early marriage on girls themselves, their family
and on the community as a whole.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the Study
Birth,
marriage and death are the standard trio of key events in most people’s lives.
But only one ‘marriage’ is a matter of choice. The right to exercise that
choice was recognized as a principle of law even in Roman times and has long
been established in international human rights instruments. Yet many girls, and
a smaller number of boys, enter into marriage without any chance of exercising
their right to choose. Some are forced into marriage at a very early age.
Others are simply too young to make an informed decision about their marriage
partner or about the implications of marriage itself. They may have given what
passes for ‘consent’ in the eyes of custom or the law, but in reality, consent
to their binding union has been made by others on their behalf.
The
assumption is that once a girl is married, she has become a woman – even if she
is only 12. Equally, where a boy is made to marry, he is now a man and must put
away childish things. While the age of marriage is generally on the rise, early
marriage – marriage of children and adolescents below the age of 18 is still
widely practiced. While early marriage takes many different forms and has
various causes, one issue is paramount. Whether it happens to a girl or a boy,
early marriage is a violation of human rights. The right to free and full
consent to a marriage is recognized in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR) and in many subsequent human rights instruments – consent that
cannot be ‘free and full’ when at least one partner is very immature. For both
girls and boys, early marriage has profound physical, intellectual,
psychological and emotional impacts, cutting off educational opportunity and
chances of personal growth.
For girls,
in addition, it will almost certainly lead to premature pregnancy and
childbearing, and is likely to lead to a lifetime of domestic and sexual
subservience over which they have no control (Eboh, 1996).
Early
marriage before the age of 18 is a violation of a number of international human
rights charters and conventions such as 1989 Convention on The Rights of the
Child (CRC), 1979 Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEFADW), the 1989 African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,
and the 1990 African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Women. However, for
many young girls in developing countries, marriage is perceived as a means of
securing their future and protecting them. Girls are forced into marriage by
their families while they are still children in the hope that marriage will
benefit them both financially and socially. On the contrary, early marriage
violates the rights of children with often more negative consequences on the
girls than the boys. This compromises their overall development, leaving them
socially isolated with little or no education, skills and opportunities for
employment and self -realization. These conditions ultimately make married
girls more vulnerable to poverty. Young married girls are indeed a unique
group, coming under great pressure on a number of fronts. They are required to
do a disproportionate amount of domestic chores, which includes new roles and
responsibilities as wives and mothers. The young bride’s status in the family
is frequently dependent on her demonstrating her fertility-often within the
first year of her marriage at a time when she is not yet physiologically,
psychologically and emotionally prepared. Additionally, girls are made to be
responsible for the care and welfare of future generations while still children
themselves. Young mothers with no decision making powers, restricted mobility
and no economic resources are likely to transmit this vulnerability to their
off-springs. Therefore, early marriage directly compounds the ‘feminization of
poverty’ and intergenerational poverty (Saxena, Shobha, 1999). Several studies
confirm wide age gaps between younger married girls and their spouses. This age
gap clearly creates unequal power relationship between the younger brides and
her older and more experienced husband, resulting in husband having total
control over sexual relations and decision-making. Since younger brides are
socially conditioned not to question the authority of their husbands, they are
often unable to use contraception or to plan their families. The combined
effect of these factors may also make younger brides more likely to tolerate
partner violence.
While there
is widespread agreement that early marriage, early pregnancy and motherhood
adversely affects general development and education of girls and they are the
links with poverty and wide consequences on families and communities have not
been adequately explored. This is partly due to the ‘invisibility’ of younger
married girl in most communities, and the fact that marriage confers adult
status to girls and boys (Bruce, 2002).
Yet, many
societies, primarily in Africa and South Asia, continue to support the idea
that girls should marry at or soon after puberty. Their spouses are likely to
be a few years older than they are, but may be more than twice their age.
Parents and heads of families make marital choices for daughters and sons with
little regard for the personal implications. Rather, they look upon marriage as
a family-building strategy, an economic arrangement or a way to protect girls
from unwelcome sexual advances.
Meanwhile,
tradition and culture endorse the concept of early marriage, the 1999 Nigerian
constitution is silent on the issue, although it could be implied from the
provisions of section 29 that parties to a marriage must be of full age. Under
subsection 29(4)(a), ‘any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full
age’. On the other hand, subsection (4)(a) stated that ‘full age’ means the age
of eighteen years and above.
Thus, in
spite of that section of Nigerian constitution, early marriage still poses a
problem in most part of Nigeria, as in many other countries in Africa and
beyond. It is practiced and justified in the name of tradition, culture and
religion. That was why some people like the former governor of Zamfara state,
Alh. Ahmed Sani Yerima Bakura and Mmerole Ogha the husband of Mgbeoye got
married to a 13 and 9 year old girl respectively. Especially vulnerable are
young girls in rural areas, poor, and deprived communities. This situation
reflects the relatively strong adherence to tradition, and the relative lack of
opportunities affecting women in rural areas. In Nigeria in general, and among
Northerners (Hausas) in particular, early marriage dates back to the formation
of the society itself. In that part of the country, it is not uncommon for
girls below the age of 12 to get married, and it is going beyond the
expectation unlike in other parts of the country. The National Baseline Survey
of Positive and Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Women and Girls in
Nigeria 1999 revealed that the aggregate mean age at marriage for female
children is 16.7 years. In the north-east the age is 15.2 years and in the
north-west, 14.2 years. This is an indicator of the prevalence of early
marriage in Nigeria (Shehu, 2002).
1.2
Statement of the Problem
Despite
national laws and international agreements forbidding early marriage, this
phenomenon is still widespread in many developing countries with a high
prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, more particularly in Nigeria. This paper
intends to analyze that issue by emphasizing on this region of Africa (Nigeria)
using Uzo-uwani as a paradigm. According to UNICEF (2001), 40 per cent and 49
per cent of girls under 19 in central and West Africa respectively are married
compared to 27 per cent in east Africa and 20 percent in northern and southern
Africa.
Throughout
the world, marriage is regarded as a moment of celebration and a milestone in
adult life. Sadly, the practice of early marriage gives no such cause for
celebration. All too often, the imposition of a marriage partner upon a child
means that a girl’s or boy’s childhood is cut short and their fundamental
rights are compromised (UNICEF, 2001 and Lefevre, Quiroga and Murply 2004).
Young girls are robbed of their youth and required to take on roles for which they
are not psychologically or physically prepared for. Many have no choice about
the timing of marriage or their partner. Some are coerced into marriage, while
others are too young to make an informed decision. Premature marriage deprives
them of the opportunity for personal development as well as their rights to
full reproductive health and wellbeing, education, and participation in civic
life.
Literature
identifies many interrelated factors almost similar worldwide with small
variations between societies that interact to place a girl child at risk of
early marriage. Those factors include among others, search for economic
survival, protection of young girls, peer group and family pressure,
controlling female behavior and sexuality, wars and civil conflicts,
maximization of fertility where infant mortality is very high (the working
group 2000; UNICEF 2001; Mathur et al. 2003).
Early
marriage contributes to a series of negative consequences both for young girls
and the society in which they live. It is a violation of human rights in
general and of girl’s rights in particular. For both girls and boys, early
marriage has profound physical, intellectual, psychological and emotional
impacts; cutting off educational and employment opportunities and chances of personal
growth. In this research work more emphasis is given to girls as this is an
issue that impacts upon them in far larger numbers and with more intensity and
consequences.
Besides,
having a negative impact on girls themselves, the practice of early marriage
also has negative consequences on their children, families, and society as a
whole. UNICEF (2000) argues that it is not only girls that pay for early
marriage but also the society as a whole. Population pressure, health care
costs and lost opportunities of human development are just a few of the growing
burdens that society shoulders because of teenage pregnancies. Early marriage
also undermines international efforts to fight against poverty in developing
countries. Bunch (2005), makes it clear that the widespread practice of child
marriage makes it increasingly difficult for families to escape poverty in the
developing world, thereby undermining critical international efforts to fight
poverty, HIV/AIDS and other development challenges, and making billions of
dollars in development assistance less effective. Among the problems of early
marriage in Nigeria is Vesico-Virginal Fistulae (VVF) which remains a serious
reproductive health problem for women of childbearing age in the developing
world. It is one of the most appealing misfortunes that a woman can face as a
result of early pregnancy and childbirth. High maternal mortality and morbidity
is another problem posed by early marriage. The world health organization
estimates that the risk of death following pregnancy is twice as great for
women between 15 and 19 years than for those between the ages of 20 and 24. The
maternal mortality rate can be up to five times higher for girls aged between
10 and 14 than for women of about twenty years of age
This study should
then seek to find answer to the following questions on developmental
implications of early marriage in Nigeria.
1.3 Research
Questions
1. What are
the reasons behind early marriage perpetuation in Uzo-uwani local government
area?
2. Does
early marriage affect girls’ wellbeing and constitutes a violation on their
human rights in Uzo-uwani local government area?
3. Does
early marriage hinders development in Uzo-uwani local government area.
4. Does
early marriage leads to poor development in Uzo-uwani local government area.
1.3
Objectives of the Study
This
research work is basically focused on developmental implications of early
marriage in Nigeria, therefore, at the end; it is expected that we could be
able to ascertain or proffer the causes and the developmental implications of
early marriage in Nigeria and to proffer lasting solutions to minimize it.
Therefore,
the specific objectives of this study are as follows:
1. To
identify the reasons behind early marriage perpetuation in
Nigeria
using Uzo-uwani local government as a paradigm.
2. To
identify how it affect girls’ wellbeing and constitute a violation
of their
human rights in Uzo-uwani local government area.
3. To
investigate the consequences and developmental implications
of early
marriage in Uzo-uwani local government area.
4. To
recommend ways of ameliorating the developmental
implications
of early marriage in Uzo-uwani local government
area.
1.4
Significance of the Study
The
significance of this study cannot be overemphasized because this invaluable
research work will be of tremendous impact on existing knowledge about
developmental implications of early marriage in Africa and Nigeria in
particular.
Thus, the
outcome of this work will portray a vivid idea of peoples’ perceptions and
impressions on early marriage in Nigeria. It will also be of great importance
to ideal administrators and sociologists.
The lessons
that will be learnt from this study will be helpful to government in enacting
and implementing policies and programmes that will impede the menace of early
marriage in the country. Furthermore, the ideas in this work will help
immensely in implementation and meaningful decisions and policies on developmental
implications of early marriage as it affects girl child and the entire society.
On the other hand, the findings and recommendations of this research work will
help tremendously to restore adequate dignity, rights and values of girl child
in Nigeria especially in Uzo-uwani local government council.
Last but not
the least, this invaluable work will be of great significance in the sense that
people should know that early marriage is not a solution to the search for
economic survival, protection of young girls, peer group and family pressure,
controlling female behavior and sexuality, and socio-cultural and religious
values but it is a violation of girl’s human rights as it deprives her of
freedom, opportunity for personal development, and other rights. This work will
also be of academic, administrative and social assets to all Nigerians.
1.5 Scope
and Limitations of the Study
The research
work is expected to cover developmental implications of early marriage in
Uzo-uwani local government area.
This work covers
the period of 1990 till date. It will touch some vital events on early marriage
which took place in Nigeria and in Uzo-uwani in particular within the stated
period.
The
limitations of this work include the following:
1.
Finance/fund: this was the greatest limitation or hindrance the researcher
encountered on the course of this work. A lot of fund was needed to carry out
this work perfectly, such as transport fare, lobbying for interview, feeding,
e.t.c as a student, it becomes very cumbersome.
2. Time:
time cannot be over emphasized when talking of limitations of this study
because it was one of the major hindrances the researcher faced during this
study. Thus, this work is one of the courses/works or activities that needed
equal attention of the researcher. Furthermore, the researcher being a regular
student, he had the engagements to attend such as reading, going to lectures,
going for recreation and so many other assignments that equally claim a
substantial part of time available to him. Yet it is not exaggeration to say
that not less than 40% of his available time was spent on this invaluable
study.
3.
Respondents: although the researcher got a good percentage of responses to his
interview or questions, it was not easy per say for him to convince then
(respondents) that the study is merely on academic exercise due to the high
level of illiteracy among the people of the area in the sense that majority of
their representatives/functionaries does not know the particular year the
council was created talk more of knowing the land mass and the population of
the council and such recorded data.
Thus, in
spite of the above limitations, the researcher could be able to achieve his
objectives by prioritizing this study to other of his activities because of
time, using of interpreters on respondents because of high rate of illiteracy
and effective and efficient use of the little resources in his possession.
Meanwhile data collection went smoothly in spite of the above challenges,
presumably because the interviewers were hired/recruited locally and known to
the respondents.
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