Let a child be a child, stop Child Marriage

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4 years ago

In community: World Today(70ff)

Marriage is sacred, it is recognized as a legal or formal union of two people as partners in a personal relationship. This unites their lives legally, economically, and emotionally. Being married also gives legitimacy to sexual relations within the marriage.

Marriage brings great joy to many but it also brings challenges, often profound ones.

In most states, you must be at least 18 years old to marry. But this kind of marriage that I will discuss with you in this article is different and quite disturbing.

Child Marriage

Child marriage is a marriage in which one or both spouses are under 18 years old.

This may sound absurd, but this is really happening. According to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), 100 million girls will be married before the age of 18 in the coming decade.

In many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in poorer rural areas, girls are often committed to an arranged marriage without their knowledge or consent. Such an arrangement can occur as early as infancy. Parents see marriage as a cultural rite that protects their daughter from sexual assault and offers the care of a male guardian. Parents often feel that a young girl is an economic burden and therefore wishes to marry off their young daughters before they become an economic liability.

Where does it Happen

Worldwide, as many as 650 million women alive today married before they turned 18.

These are the top countries with the highest rates of Child Marriage according to the 2017 UNICEF report:

Niger— 76%
Central African Republic — 68%
Chad— 67%
Bangladesh — 59%
Mali — 52%
South Sudan — 52%
Burkina Faso — 52%
Guinea — 51%
Mozambique — 48%
India— 47%

Major Causes of Child Marriage

GENDER INEQUALITY

In many communities where child marriage is practiced, girls are not valued as much as boys – they are seen as a burden on their family.

TRADITION

Child marriage is a traditional practice that in many places happens simply because it has happened for generations.

POVERTY

More than half of girls from the poorest families in the developing world are married as children.

INSECURITY

Many parents marry their daughters young because they feel it is in her best interest, often to ensure her safety in areas where girls are at high risk of harassment and physical or sexual assault.

Major causes of child marriages include the following too: bride price, dowry, religious and social pressures, regional customs, fear of the child remaining unmarried into adulthood, illiteracy, and perceived inability of women to work for money.

The Hurtful Consequences of Child Marriage

Child marriage violates children’s rights and places them at high risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse. Child marriage robs girls of their childhood and threatens their lives and health.

Early pregnancy is one of the most dangerous causes and consequences of this harmful practice. Girls under 15 are five times more likely to die in childbirth than women in their 20s and face a higher risk of pregnancy-related injuries. children of child brides are 60 percent more likely to die in the first year of life than those born to mothers older than 19, and families of child brides are more likely to be poor and unhealthy.

Girls who are married are unlikely to be in school. Education, including comprehensive sexuality education, is essential for girls to be able to make informed decisions about their sexual health and well-being.

Child Marriage: Untying the Knot

Ending child marriage requires work across all sectors and at all levels. Today lots of concern organizations are taking actions and doing preventive measures and strategies about child marriage.

These strategies include:

Working directly with married girls or girls at-risk for early marriage and offering them information, skills, and support networks. Educating and mobilizing parents, religious or traditional leaders, and community members. Enhancing the accessibility and quality of schooling for girls.