Nafisatu, a 15-year-old from Kano State, is among the millions of individuals who suffer from child marriage.
She is currently a mother, may not be attending school, and is focused on fulfilling the adult obligations that society has placed on her.
In an interview for a study published in January 2022, the international civil society organization Human Rights Watch, Nafisatu, described how she was coerced into marrying a 27-year-old guy when she was just 12 years old. After my father passed away, my family was unable to support my education or basic requirements. Rather, they determined that I should drop out of school and wed the man of their choice.After telling her “husband” that she had no desire in getting married, she said that “he went back to my family members, and they told him to forget about my decision, it’s not that important if he loved me and wanted to marry me.”
“In Nigeria, it’s ingrained in the culture,” she continued. “You ask a girl’s family for permission if you love her. Therefore, as long as they approve, you can move on with the marriage even if the girl didn’t give her consent. Most Nigerians have a “I don’t care” mentality, she said.At 14, she became pregnant, and at 15, she gave birth to her first child.She has domestic duties that prevent her from going back to school.Nafisatu is among the few young women who have acknowledged attempting to break out from their coerced unions.A 14-year-old bride fled six times in three years, but each time her family members found her and brought her back to her spouse.
Child marriage is distorting the future of young girls in Nigeria who want to get a solid education so they can benefit society and themselves.Even with a minor decline in numbers, the practice has continued to be a problem.Nigeria ranks third in the world for the number of child brides, a problem that continues to seriously impair the growth and wellbeing of teenage girls.It is estimated that 44% of females get married before turning 18, for a total of over 24 million child brides.While there has been a sluggish and uneven reduction in the national frequency from 44% to 30%, according to recent data, the poorest households, rural areas, and females with little to no education have been disproportionately affected.
International human rights legislation recognizes child marriage as a harmful practice. It is frequently linked to serious types of violence, such as intimate partner abuse, against women and girls. It not only constitutes a serious violation of human rights but also jeopardizes sustainable development, well-being, and human dignity.Although it impacts people of all genders, girls are disproportionately affected by this terrible trend. For instance, young girls of school age are married off before they become eighteen in the states of Jigawa and Katsina.Misconceptions about customs, poverty, and ignorance have all contributed to the persistence of the practice in Nigeria.
Stakeholders expressed their opinions at a one-day National Dialogue on “Ending Child Marriage,” which was organized by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and supported by UNICEF and UN Population Fund. They believed that child marriage not only poses a serious threat to young girls’ right to an education, but also dashes their hopes for a childhood and robs them of their innocence.Stakeholders at the event reiterated the need to eliminate child marriage by 2030 and demanded clear-cut steps to do it.Girls from the north bear the weight.UNICEF estimates that there are about 25 million brides worldwide, with startling prevalence rates in Bauchi (74% of child brides), Jigawa (72% of minors getting married before the age of 18), Katsina (69%), and Zamfara (67%).According to the UN agency, children in Zamfara get married considerably younger than those in Jigawa, where marriages occur before the age of 18.Cristian Munduate, a UNICEF national representative, stated that “the consequences of child marriage ripple through the society, impacting not only the lives of child brides but the entire fabric of our country.”She went on, saying that “misconceptions about customs and inadequate implementation of the Child Rights Act sustain this detrimental societal norm, even in spite of some minor declines in prevalence and the nationwide adoption of the Act. Child marriage interrupts schooling, lowers the use of family planning, increases maternal mortality, and denies girls their autonomy, education, and rights related to their sexual and reproductive health. Women from indigenous and minority groups are disproportionately at risk, particularly in unstable environments when families see marriage as a form of defense.
Child marriage’s financial effectsAccording to a UNICEF and Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development research, child marriage costs Nigeria $10 billion a year in lost revenue.The northern girls carry the burden.According to UNICEF, there are approximately 25 million brides globally. Some shockingly high prevalence rates can be seen in Bauchi (74% of child brides), Jigawa (72% of minors marrying before turning 18), Katsina (69%), and Zamfara (67%).The UN agency claims that compared to Jigawa, where marriages before the age of 18 happen, Zamfara’s children marry far younger.According to Cristian Munduate, a national representative for UNICEF, “the consequences of child marriage ripple through the society, impacting not only the lives of child brides but the entire fabric of our country.”UNICEF official Munduate stated, “The study also projects a potential Gross Domestic Product (GDP) boost of nearly 2.5 per cent upon its eradication.”She continued, saying that underage marriage in Nigeria lowers women’s earnings by an average of 12% in adulthood due to a decline in educational attainment. These study’s conclusions highlight the harmful effects of child marriage on both individuals and the economy as a whole. They also show the possible positive effects of investing in child marriage prevention on the nation’s health, provided that girls are given the opportunity to realize their full potential and contribute to the growth and development of the nation.
What actions are necessary?Despite considerable progress brought about by government efforts, problems still exist.These include insufficient knowledge, harmonization of the law, oversight procedures, and monetary obligations; thus, a fresh dedication and financial outlay are required to put a stop to child marriage.Munduate advocated for enhancing legal protections for victims of child marriage as well as investing in education for all children, boys and girls, in order to put an end to the practice.In order to change perceptions and destroy detrimental customs, she also advocated for community involvement and awareness raising initiatives.“Putting an end to child marriage is not only a goal; it’s also a moral requirement and a calculated investment in our children’s futures as a society. Together, we can free our kids from their bonds and create a nation where each child’s potential is realized,” Munduate continued.
