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Childhood Marriage
A RUDE AWAKENING

Dayna Flowers

WGS 201 | 12/11/16

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Dayna Flowers

Amanda Magnuson

WGS 201

12/16/16

Childhood Marriage: A Rude Awakening

All across the globe, child marriage has become a disheartening fact. Over 15 million

girls are getting married before the age of 18 years old. It means every 1 in 3 girls in the

developing world must get married. Countless young girls do not have the option to decide

against it. They are forced to bear the physical, physiological, psychological, and emotional

consequences that being married at such a young age can bring. With so many issues

surrounding this involuntary union including religious, cultural, economic, and sociological

reasons. Many are required to live a life of a young bride, wife, and a mother. No one cares if

they are ready for it to happen or not. A lot of girls are not able to have the hopes and dreams as

a child should. Once they are married they are now someone's spouse.

So many girls are being pushed into marriage at such a young age. There are plenty of

things causing it to occur. Including a major issue like poverty. Poor educational opportunities,

high fertility rates, and the subordinate status of women. Parents worry about marrying their

girls off at a younger age as a protective measure. Against things like premarital sex, unintended

pregnancies, and rape. There's this mentality that girls create a greater economic burden. They

are believed to be a costly investment. Girls are often married off at a young age to reduce

family expenses. They consider normal things such as feeding, clothing, and educating girls to

contribute to that belief. Her family also pays a lesser dowry to the groom if she is young and
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uneducated. Even though the family's load gets lowered, it only transfers a whole new burden to

the girl that she must face on her own.

To discuss child marriage in greater detail. There are three countries we will observe.

These countries make the top 20 list for child marriage in the world. They consist of Niger,

Bangladesh, and India. With Niger ranked at number one on that list. Before the age of 18 years

old 76% of its girls are married. Next, there's Bangladesh ranked at number five. With 52% of

young girls marrying before 18 years old. Lastly, India ranking number 10 on the list. Where

47% of its girls are married before they turn 18 years old. Out of these three countries, Niger is

the only one with a legal age of 15. Bangladesh and India have an age limit set at 18 for girls.

Even with certain age limits set in place. Girls still do not have the safeguards needed to protect

them. Many of these countries do not enforce a legal age due to customary and religious laws.

Also, allowing marriage if there is parental consent or a ruling of the court. In Niger, raising the

legal age from 15 to 18 has been proposed. No law has been adopted yet. There are two

international agreements like the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

(CRC) and the 1990 African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). Niger,

along with these other countries have been inconsistent in enforcing these agreements and

national laws. Some efforts have to be made to ensure that girls are under the full protection of

the law.

The main reasons for child marriage is poverty, tradition, gender inequality, lack of

education, economic and social status, and safety in all three countries. Every one of these

reasons are rooted in social and cultural norms surrounding their society and its traditions.

Tradition plays a role, not because any one religion or cultural practice is responsible for it. It's

used as justification for marrying off a younger girl. Many have practice certain cultural or
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religious traditions for generations. They often go unquestioned and can trump what is law in

many of these communities. Gender inequality serves as a factor due to the blatant disregard and

lower value placed on girls. Often girls deal with certain standards that involves them being

ruled by men. It enforces stigmas that girls are forced to endure. Like who she is allowed to see

or marry. How she should behave. All for the sake of her family's honor. Safety are on the

minds of some girls parents. Because they are at risk for harassment or sexual assault. They

feel that once married they will be protected. Poverty is the root issue and cause for child

marriage. Families may use it as an alternative survival strategy. Because girls are viewed as a

burden. They are not expected to contribute financially to their family. But they will use child

marriage as a commodity to repay debts, manage disputes, or settle social, economic, and

political alliances. With the lack of an educational system, many girls will drop out of school at

an early age. These girls are confined to household occupations and their parents want them to

marry at a young age. Marriage takes away their rights to an education which will restrict the

development of skills and knowledge.

There are organizations that are working to take on the issues of child marriage in these

countries. An organization called, Girls Not Brides has a global partnership with over 650

civil society organizations in over 85 countries. They are committed to ending child marriage

and supporting girls who have been married. Their goals are to raise awareness by encouraging

dialogue on an international, national, local, and community level. Facilitating learning and

coordination between organizations, working together to achieve objectives, mobilize policy,

financial, and support. Currently, theyre developing a strategy for the next 5 years to end child

marriage in a generation. Previously they have raised funding to support their efforts and to
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interact with governments pushing them to make commitments on addressing child marriage and

to be accountable.

Alliance for Cooperation and Legal Aid Bangladesh (ACLAB) works for disadvantaged

and vulnerable people to bring positive changes and improvement to their livelihood. Their main

focus is poverty, literacy, human rights, and child protection just to name a few. With a focus on

ending child marriage in Bangladesh since 1987. Working with national, international partner

organizations, ministries, and Department of Bangladesh government. An ongoing program of

the ACLAB in partnership with BRAC to improve education for marginalized and

underprivileged children. Their focus is providing non-formal education, organizing parent

meetings to educate them on abuse and exploitation issues, and arranging extracurricular

activities. They also provide skill and development training, provide legal support, and ensure a

healthy and supportive environment for children. They organize advocacy workshops with local

government, journalist, teachers, women leaders, political leaders and administration to combat

child exploitation.

Another organization seeking to put a stop to child marriage is Aangan Trust. Aangan is

an Indian organization with state-run Observation and Childrens Homes. They create a safe and

rehabilitative space for children to have the opportunity to plan for a better future. They work

with communities with marginalized children. To provide supportive areas where child marriage

and trafficking is an issue. They're focused on six states where child marriage, trafficking, and

hazardous worker exploitations are high. Aangan Trust partners with the state government to

strengthen child protection. They continue to spotlight neglected groups in India and collaborate

with the government to demonstrate possible solutions. All of these organizations are critical

when it comes to putting an emphasis on what is currently taking place in each country. Without
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them continuing to fight against exploitations of children there would be no hope things like

child marriage to end.

There are things that can be done to address child marriage issues for girls. To

implement laws that will be enforced, promote education and incentives to educate girls, and also

educate parents and the community. These countries have laws in place for the prevention of

childhood marriage. They now have to put the proper institutions in place to enforce them

properly. Niger will need to follow through on raising the minimum age for marriage. To bring

it up to code with international law. Also, removing all loopholes like parental consent and other

customary laws that can undermine the process. Next, work can be done to educate the

community and family structure on the issues of child marriage. Using people like the girl's

parents, religious and community leaders, and other men. They have an influence that can be

used to address the values, stigmas, and traditions each girl will have to face. Lastly, pushing an

agenda for girls to stay in school. This can also become effective against child marriage. When

girls are allowed to stay in school they are able to reach their full potential. By developing their

confidence, skills, and knowledge needed which can lead to girls building a career for

themselves and possibly be of help to their family. For as long as a girl stays in school the less

likely she is to get married before 18. It allows them to garner more control over if they want to

and who they want to marry.

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Works Cited

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