Child marriage in Niger

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Child Marriage in Niger Child marriage is defined as cohabitation between two recognized spouses before the age of 18. [1] 40% of women throughout the world between the ages of 20-24 who married prior to the age of 18 lived in Sub-Saharan Africa. [2] Niger has the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with three-quarters of the female population married before the age of 18 and 28% by the age of 15. [3] Adolescent marriage rates are five times higher amongst females than males. [4]

Child marriage marriage or informal union entered into by an individual before reaching the age of 18

Child marriage is a formal marriage or an informal union entered into by an individual before reaching a certain age, specified by several global organizations such as UNICEF as minors under the age of 18. The legally prescribed marriageable age in some jurisdictions is below 18 years, especially in the case of girls; and even when the age is set at 18 years, many jurisdictions permit earlier marriage with parental consent or in special circumstances, such as teenage pregnancy. In certain countries, even when the legal marriage age is 18, cultural traditions take priority over legislative law. Child marriage violates the rights of children; it affects both boys and girls, but it is more common among girls. Child marriage has widespread and long term consequences for child brides and grooms. According to several UN agencies, comprehensive sexuality education can prevent such a phenomenon.

Sub-Saharan Africa area of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara Desert

Sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. According to the United Nations, it consists of all African countries that are fully or partially located south of the Sahara. It contrasts with North Africa, whose territories are part of the League of Arab states within the Arab world. The states of Somalia, Djibouti, Comoros and the Arabic speaking Mauritania are however geographically in sub-Saharan Africa, although they are members of the Arab League as well. The UN Development Program lists 46 of Africa’s 54 countries as “sub-Saharan,” excluding Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Niger republic in Western Africa

Niger or the Niger, officially the Republic of the Niger, is a landlocked country in West Africa named after the Niger River. Niger is bordered by Libya to the northeast, Chad to the east, Nigeria to the south, Benin to the southwest, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, and Algeria to the northwest. Niger covers a land area of almost 1,270,000 km2 (490,000 sq mi), making it the largest country in West Africa. Over 80% of its land area lies in the Sahara Desert. The country's predominantly Islamic population of about 21 million live mostly in clusters in the far south and west of the country. The capital and largest city is Niamey, located in Niger's southwest corner.

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UNICEF estimates that around 3 in 4 young girls were married before the age of 18, and 1 in 4 before the age of 15. When a girl is married as a child her fundamental rights are violated. Ending child marriage can preserve a girl’s childhood, promote her right to an education, reduce her exposure to violence and abuse, and contribute to breaking cycles of poverty that are passed down from one generation to the next. [5]

UNICEF development policy organization of the UN

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), originally known as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, was created by the United Nations General Assembly on 11 December 1946, to provide emergency food and healthcare to children and mothers in countries that had been devastated by World War II. The Polish physician Ludwik Rajchman is widely regarded as the founder of UNICEF and served as its first chairman from 1946 to 1950, when he had to flee the United States in the wake of McCarthyism. Rajchman is to this day the only person that served as UNICEF's Chairman for longer than 2 years. On Rajchman's suggestion, the American Maurice Pate was appointed its first executive director, serving from 1947 until his death in 1965. In 1950, UNICEF's mandate was extended to address the long-term needs of children and women in developing countries everywhere. In 1953 it became a permanent part of the United Nations System, and the words "international" and "emergency" were dropped from the organization's name, though it retained the original acronym, "UNICEF".

Social and Cultural Aspects

The practice is largely found in more rural areas of the region, specifically the southern portions of Niger, while some families in the north "sell" young daughters in order to liberate themselves from a life of poverty. [6] Over 75% of the population in Niger lives on less than $2 per day. [2] In Sub-Saharan Africa, those living in the most poverty-stricken regions, largely those in rural areas with low educational attainment, had the highest rates of child marriage and the least likely to use contraception compared to their urban counterparts. [2] Families from impoverished regions may also engage in child marriage in order to elevate themselves out of a life of poverty in exchange for a considerable dowry. This exchange allows families to have social mobility that otherwise may not be possible [7] Child marriage disproportionately affects women as the median age for female marriage in the region is 15.7 years of age, nine years earlier than the median rate for males (24.6 years). [8] The Civil Code in Niger contributes to this statistic as the legal age to marry in Niger is 15 for women and 18 for men. [8]

A dowry is a transfer of parental property, gifts, or money at the marriage of a daughter. Dowry contrasts with the related concepts of bride price and dower. While bride price or bride service is a payment by the groom or his family to the bride's parents, dowry is the wealth transferred from the bride's family to the groom or his family, ostensibly for the bride. Similarly, dower is the property settled on the bride herself, by the groom at the time of marriage, and which remains under her ownership and control. Dowry is an ancient custom, and its existence may well predate records of it. Dowries continue to be expected and demanded as a condition to accept a marriage proposal in some parts of the world, mainly in parts of Asia, Northern Africa and the Balkans. In some parts of the world, disputes related to dowry sometimes result in acts of violence against women, including killings and acid attacks. The custom of dowry is most common in cultures that are strongly patrilineal and that expect women to reside with or near their husband's family (patrilocality). Dowries have long histories in Europe, South Asia, Africa and other parts of the world.

Civil code systematic collection of laws designed to deal with the core areas of private law

A civil code is a systematic collection of laws designed to deal with the core areas of private law such as for dealing with business and negligence lawsuits and practices. A jurisdiction that has a civil code generally also has a code of civil procedure. In some jurisdictions with a civil code, a number of the core areas of private law that would otherwise typically be codified in a civil code may instead be codified in a commercial code.

Child marriage is most prevalent in the cluster of countries between Mali and Cameroon, including Niger. These neighboring countries are all very similar in religion, culture, the fragility of their ecosystem, and overall insecurity. [2]

Mali Republic in West Africa

Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa, a region geologically identified with the West African Craton. Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa, with an area of just over 1,240,000 square kilometres (480,000 sq mi). The population of Mali is 18 million. 67% of its population was estimated to be under the age of 25 in 2017. Its capital is Bamako. The sovereign state of Mali consists of eight regions and its borders on the north reach deep into the middle of the Sahara Desert, while the country's southern part, where the majority of inhabitants live, features the Niger and Senegal rivers. The country's economy centers on agriculture and mining. Some of Mali's prominent natural resources include gold, being the third largest producer of gold in the African continent, and salt.

Cameroon Republic in West Africa

Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the Bight of Biafra, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. Although Cameroon is not an ECOWAS member state, it is geographically and historically in West Africa with the Southern Cameroons which now form her Northwest and Southwest Regions having a strong West African history. The country is sometimes identified as West African and other times as Central African due to its strategic position at the crossroads between West and Central Africa.

Ecosystem A community of living organisms together with the nonliving components of their environment

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system. These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. Energy enters the system through photosynthesis and is incorporated into plant tissue. By feeding on plants and on one-another, animals play an important role in the movement of matter and energy through the system. They also influence the quantity of plant and microbial biomass present. By breaking down dead organic matter, decomposers release carbon back to the atmosphere and facilitate nutrient cycling by converting nutrients stored in dead biomass back to a form that can be readily used by plants and other microbes.

Religion

Traditional religions pertaining to the Sub-Saharan African region and Islam contribute to the highest rates of child marriage in the country. Many of these religions include tenets that support child marriage and are used to justify such practices. [7] Those who practiced Islam, traditional religions and no religion had much higher rates of child marriage than those who practiced Christianity. [7] Niger has some of the highest rates of adherents to Islam in the world, with over 90% of the population following the religion. [9]

Islam is an Abrahamic, monotheistic, universal religion teaching that there is only one God, and that Muhammad is the messenger of God. It is the world's second-largest religion with over 1.8 billion followers or 24% of the world's population, most commonly known as Muslims. Muslims make up a majority of the population in 50 countries. Islam teaches that God is merciful, all-powerful, and unique, and has guided humankind through prophets, revealed scriptures and natural signs. The primary scriptures of Islam are the Quran, viewed by Muslims as the verbatim word of God, and the teachings and normative examples of Muhammad.

Christianity is an Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, as described in the New Testament. Its adherents, known as Christians, believe that Jesus Christ is the merciful Son of God and savior of all people, whose coming as the Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament. It is the worlds largest religion with over 2.4 billion followers or 31.5% of the world's population.

Polygamy

Child brides in Niger are most likely to be second, third or fourth wives, as younger brides are considered more attractive and obedient. The practice of wahaya involves the purchase of one or more girls, usually of slave descent, under the guise of a fifth wife. Many fifth wives have been trafficked as young girls from rural regions across West Africa to the houses of richer, older, urban males. This has been highlighted as a form of slavery by the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery. [10]

Family honour

In certain areas, including rural Marake, some people reportedly believe that girls should be married before their first period, as bloodstained clothing may be perceived as loss of virginity which brings shame to families. [10]

Social status

Married girls are said to enjoy a certain level of respect within society that cannot not achieved if unmarried, regardless of how successful she may become professionally. [10]

Level of Education

Many girls drop out of school, or are excluded, due to poor results and an unsafe environment. This places them at heightened risk of marrying young due to limited alternative options. [10] Countries that have made education more accessible to young women have much lower rates of child marriage than those who do not. [2] Early child marriage negatively affects school-aged children as the union may deny them a right to an education or a schooling environment. [6] However, only 17% of women with secondary educational level or higher are married by 18. [8] Many women in Niger are expected to be wives and mothers, while men are expected to receive a secondary education, contributing to the high statistics of child marriage in regard to women. [8]

Nigerien Law

In Niger specifically, the legal age to marry is 15 years of age. However, both females and males have no specified limit to marry with parental consent. [2] In many Sub-Saharan African countries, including Niger, customary law takes precedence over formal law, without specifying age. [7] Countries that lack clear laws regarding marriage before the age of 18 have much higher rates of child marriage as well as adolescent childbearing. [7] The country has yet to incorporate any laws that require women to be 18 years old to marry, largely complicated by tradition and customs. Countries that prohibit child marriage have a 40% reduction in the rate of child marriages than countries that do not explicitly outlaw the practice. [7] The Niger Government has formulated a plan in partnership with UNFPA-UNICEF that aims to ensure the retention of girls in school up until the age of 16. [8] There is a platform that also works in collaboration with UNICEF, “Towards the End of Child Marriage in Niger”. The initiative aims to compile information about child marriage and advocate for legislation that discourages such marriages. [8]

International Efforts

There have been international efforts to quell the rates of child marriage throughout the world. Girls Not Brides, an international organization advocating for the end of child marriage throughout the world, defines the practice as a human rights violation. [11] The group works in partnership with other organizations to end the practice of child marriage.The Convention on the Rights of the Child is a human rights treaty that aims to protect and ensure the political, social, economic, health and cultural, and civil rights of children. [12] Every nation is a signatory of this treaty, excluding the United States. [12] The 1990 African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child also aims to ensure the rights and safety of children in African countries, including child marriage. [7] The UNFPA-UNICEF Global Program to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage strengthens the rights of adolescent females to avoid young marriage and pregnancy and encourages education. [8] The Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW) and the United Nations have also worked in collaboration to spearhead initiatives in countries such as Niger with high rates of child marriage in order to lower rates through international legislation and conventions on children's rights. [2]

The United Nations has led initiatives such as the Education for All Campaign, Early Childhood Care and Development and Universal education reforms to retain and enroll more girls in schools to reduce dropout rates and increase retention. [2] The United Nations believes that high retention rates of women will reduce high rates of child marriage in countries such as Niger. [2] The Forum for African Women Educationalists has supported advocacy efforts on research initiatives regarding female education in Africa. [2]

Health Effects

Child marriage has a number of health concerns. This form of union encourages the sexual activity of young girls before some are done developing physically and many have a limited sexual health awareness. [13] Many young women who give birth as adolescents have higher rates of death in the act of childbirth, with maternal mortality at 35% of young people between the ages of 15 and 19. [1] In addition, children born to an adolescent mother have a 1.37 higher risk of dying within the first five years of their life. [1] Overall, women who marry before the age of 18 have considerably higher rates of obstetric fistula, intimate partner violence , unwanted pregnancies, and HIV. Women who have married over the age of 18 are comparatively much closer in age to their spouses than their female counterparts who have married before the age of 18. This dynamic presents one in which many women do not necessarily have control over their reproductive health or general decision-making ability in their marriages. [7]

Related Research Articles

Spouse partner in a marriage, civil union, domestic partnership or common-law marriage

A spouse is a significant other in a marriage, civil union, or common-law marriage. The term is gender neutral, whereas a male spouse is a husband and a female spouse is a wife. Although a spouse is a form of significant other, the latter term also includes non-marital partners who play a social role similar to that of a spouse, but do not have rights and duties reserved by law to a spouse.

Teenage pregnancy pregnancy in human females under the age of 20

Teenage pregnancy, also known as adolescent pregnancy, is pregnancy in a female under the age of 20. Pregnancy can occur with sexual intercourse after the start of ovulation, which can be before the first menstrual period (menarche) but usually occurs after the onset of periods. In well-nourished females, the first period usually takes place around the age of 12 or 13.

Marriageable age is the minimum age at which a person is allowed by law to marry, either as a right or subject to parental, judicial or other forms of approval. Age and other prerequisites to marriage vary between jurisdictions, but in the vast majority of jurisdictions, the marriage age as a right is set at the age of majority. Nevertheless, most jurisdictions allow marriage at a younger age with parental or judicial approval, and some also allow younger people to marry if the female is pregnant. Until recently, the marriageable age for women was lower in many jurisdictions than for men, but in many places has now been raised to those of men.

Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health that vary amongst countries around the world. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as follows:

Reproductive rights rest on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health. They also include the right of all to make decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence.

Girl young female human

A girl is a young female, usually human, usually a child or an adolescent. When she becomes an adult, she is described as a woman. The term girl may also be used to mean a young woman, and is sometimes used as a synonym for daughter. Girl may also be a term of endearment used by an adult, usually a woman, to designate adult female friends.

Forced marriage marriage in which one or more of the parties is married without his or her consent or against his or her will

Forced marriage is a marriage in which one or more of the parties is married without their consent or against their will. A forced marriage differs from an arranged marriage, in which both parties presumably consent to the assistance of their parents or a third party such as a matchmaker in choosing a spouse. There is often a continuum of coercion used to compel a marriage, ranging from outright physical violence to subtle psychological pressure. Forced marriage is still practised in various cultures across the world, particularly in parts of South Asia and Africa. Some scholars object to use of the term "forced marriage" because it invokes the consensual legitimating language of marriage for an experience that is precisely the opposite. A variety of alternative terms exist, including "forced conjugal association" and "conjugal slavery".

Prevalence of teenage pregnancy

Industrialized and developing countries have distinctly different rates of teenage pregnancy. In developed regions, such as United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, teen parents tend to be unmarried and adolescent pregnancy is seen as a social issue.

Women in Ghana

The status of women in Ghana and their roles in Ghanaian society has changed over the past few decades. There has been a slow increase in the political participation of Ghanaian women throughout history. Women are given equal rights under the Constitution of Ghana, yet disparities in education, employment, and health for women remain prevalent. Additionally, women have much less access to resources than men in Ghana do. Ghanaian women in rural and urban areas face slightly different challenges. Throughout Ghana, female-headed households are increasing.

Women in Mauritania

Issues impacting Women in Mauritanian society include female genital mutilation, child marriage, and polygamy.

Women in Mali

The status and social roles of women in Mali have been formed by the complex interplay of a variety of traditions in ethnic communities, the rise and fall of the great Sahelien states, French colonial rule, independence, urbanisation, and postcolonial conflict and progress. Forming just less than half Mali's population, Malian women have sometimes been the center of matrilineal societies, but have always been crucial to the economic and social structure of this largely rural, agricultural society.

Teen marriage is the union of two adolescents, ranging in age from 13 to 21, who are joined in marriage. Many factors contribute to teen marriage such as love, teen pregnancy, religion, security, wealth, family, peer pressure, arranged marriage, economic and/or political reasons, social advancement, and cultural reasons. Studies have shown that teenage married couples are often less advantageous, may come from broken homes, may have little education, and work low status jobs in comparison with those that marry after adolescence.

Arranged marriage is a type of marital union where the bride and groom are selected by individuals other than the couple themselves, particularly by family members such as the parents. In some cultures a professional matchmaker may be used to find a spouse for a young person.

According to UNICEF, child marriage is the "formal marriage or informal union before age 18," and it affects more girls than boys. In Afghanistan, 57% of girls are married before they are 19. The most common ages for girls to get married are 15 and 16. Factors such as gender dynamics, family structure, cultural, political, and economic perceptions/ideologies all play a role in determining if a girl is married at a young age.

Child marriage in India

Child marriage in India, according to the Indian law, is a marriage where either the woman is below age 18 or the man is below age 21. Most child marriages involve underage women, many of whom are in poor socio-economic conditions.

Child marriage is a worldwide phenomenon, in which children are forced to enter into a marriage bond. Child marriage is an increasing problem within many African countries. In South Sudan, child marriage is a growing epidemic. Child Marriage is a violation of women's and children's rights. The age range for these children to marry is between the age of twelve and eighteen. Although, 18 is the legal age to marry, many cultural practices are placed higher that the actual law in underrepresented countries. Marriages are granted approval with a parental consent. Underage marriage is an uncomfortable topic, yet it is practiced widely by the Fathers of the families, in countries that experience poverty. This happens in order to have financial stability through dowry, the increase in bride price, and the alleviation out of poverty.

Child Marriage in Cameroon. In 2017 in Cameroon, 31% of girls are married off before the 18 yo. 10% are married before they turn 15.

In 2017 in Ethiopia, 40% of girls are married off before 18 years old. 14% are married before they turn 15. Ethiopia is the 16th highest nation in the world for child marriage.

Child Marriage in Mali. In 2017 in Mali, 52% of girls are married off before the 18 yo. 17% are married before they turn 15. Mali is the 5th highest nation in the world for child marriage.

Child Marriage in Sierra Leone. In 2017 in Sierra Leone, 39% of girls are married off before the 18 years old. 13% are married before they turn 15. Sierra Leone is the 18th highest nation in the world for child marriage.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Child Marriage in Niger" (PDF). Save the Children UK. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Walker, Judith Ann (June 2012). "Early Marriage in Africa — Trends, Harmful Effects and Interventions". African Journal of Reproductive Health. 16 (2): 231–240. JSTOR   23318031.
  3. ↑ Brides, Girls Not. "Atlas". Girls Not Brides. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  4. ↑ "Harmful practices". www.unicef.org. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  5. ↑ "ISSUE BRIEF: Ending Child Marriage in Niger", UNICEF
  6. 1 2 "Early marriage – from rural custom to urban business". The New Humanitarian. 2009-01-16. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Maswikwa, Richter, Kaufman, Nandi (2015). "Minimum Marriage Laws and the Prevalence of Child Marriage and Adolescent Birth: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa". Guttmacher Institute. 41 (2): 58–68. doi:10.1363/4105815. JSTOR   10.1363/4105815. PMID   26308258.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Ending child marriage in Niger". www.unicef.org. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  9. ↑ "Niger". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Child marriage around the world: NIGER", Girls Not Brides
  11. ↑ Brides, Girls Not. "Human rights and justice". Girls Not Brides. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  12. 1 2 "A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child" (PDF). UNICEF. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  13. ↑ Brides, Girls Not. "Health". Girls Not Brides. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
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