1

A REPORT ON CHILD MARRIAGE SURVEY CONDUCTED IN

MULANJE; T/As NKANDA MABUKA AND CHIKUMBU

MAY –JULY, 2015

MULANJE, MALAWI.

MODERN AND ACTIVE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT FOR A

SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD ORGANISATION
(MAYESLO)

CELL: 0885311496/0991500389/0884103794

EMAIL:gfmusaya@yahoo.com/pearsonsakwi@gmail.com/
seniorthom@gmail.com
 2
Foreword
This study mainly focusing on causes and consequences of early marriage in mulanje was
conducted from May to July. The principal drive of the study was to generate both
qualitative and quantitative information on current practice of early marriage and to
critically examine the causes and the consequences of the practice in the study area. The
information was collected from a population sample of 300 whose ages lie within 10-50
through interviews, questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informants, observation as
well as existing information about child marriages from a very wide range of sources, library
and the internet being among the sources.

The study has included a wide range of information on social- economic background
characteristics, marriage patterns and age, stability, causes and consequences and even
gender related issues .with a critical analysis, the study will enable MAYESLO design a
comprehensive on child marriages.

This report is the upshot of our effort in utilising our non-funded youth organisations
resources in order to carry out a child marriage survey in our surrounding villages.MAYESLO
would therefore like to recognise the enormous endeavour of all its members who worked
tirelessly as researchers in the above mentioned T/As, all institutions, youth clubs and all the
village chiefs in the district that eased our work, not forgetting village chief Mangani who
assisted us in coordinating focus group discussions with respondents in his area and
mangani youth club whose members helped us in clearing out some money issues as the
respondents had very high expectations about us.

We also would like to give our sincere gratitude to PLAN MALAWI, for offering a training
opportunity on how to end child marriages to one of our members who he has unstintingly
been equipping us with knowledge around the issue hence the hatching of our research
project.

It is our candid hope that the findings of the survey will be an important tool in the
implementation, designing and monitoring of strategies for MAYESLO and other related
stake holders in the fight of child marriages in mulanje.

Thomas sakwi and Kizito f. Msanga

(Research Authors)
 3 .

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
All societies rely on norms as a basis for establishing minimum marriage age. The limiting
age for a girl child to enter into marriage is usually too low and it is highly attributed to the
puberty stage. Girls therefore enter marriage regardless of their psychological and
physiological readiness for a legal marriage.

The survey indicated high rates of child marriages in T/As Nkanda, Mabuka and
Chikumbu.This survey aimed to generate a cross sectional community based study on the
practice of child marriage further examining its causes and consequences.

The prevalence of child marriages in Mulanje further brought a critical analysis of its
implications on health, physiological, psychological, socio economical and even
demographic consequences. Interviews, focus group discussions, key informants and
personal observation were used in order to come up with accurate data as most of the
people from the research team are residents within the study area.

The survey sought to find out the relationship between child marriage and culture and so
respondents were asked as to give out the specific age when a girl child gets married in their
particular areas. Most respondents indicated that a girl is ready for marriage just after being
initiated, i.e. after celebrating her 12th birthday.

The findings of this survey explain how child marriages have affected girls, their families,
communities and the economy of our country as a whole. A child bride is more likely to
;drop out of school, be verbally and physically abused by her husband, be too dependent on
the husband for everything, contribute nothing to the community. Prevalence of child
marriages in our study area insinuates that there are a lot of idle people in these
communities. This is what is slowing down development in these areas and in Malawi as a
nation
 4
GLOSSARY
CHILD: anyone under the age of 18 unless, “under the law applicable to the
child”, the majority is attained earlier. (United nations convention 1989)

Girl: any female child under the age of 18.

CHILD MARRIAGE: a union where either spouse is below 18 years of age.

MARRIAGE: a legal union between a man and a woman who are prepared to
stay together till death separates them.

INITIATION CEREMONY: this is a culture related act whereby a 10-16 year old
male /female are cerebrated to have now become an adult member of the
community.

MAYESLO: Modern and Active Youth empowerment for a sustainable

Livelihood Organisation.
 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. THE CHILD MARRIAGE PROBLEM; BACKGROUND

1.1, INTRODUCTION

1.2, STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1.3, OBJECTIVES OF THE SURVEY

1.3.1, MAIN OBJECTIVES

1.3.2, SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1.4, SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

1.5, RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

1.6, LIMITATIONS

2. LITERATURE REVIEW ON CHILD MARRIAGE IN MULANJE

3. RESEARCH FINDINGS

3.1 DEMOGRAPHICS

3.2 KNOWLEDGE AROUND THE ISSUE OF CHILD MARRIAGE

3.2.1, LEGAL MARRIAGE AGE FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

3.2.2, MARRIAGE OF GIRLS BELOW EIGHTEEN YEARS

 3.2.3, ATTITUDES OF PARENTS

3.2.4, RESPONDENTS ATTITUDE ON CHILD MARRIAGE ISSUE

6
3.3, THE EXTENT OF CHILD MARRIAGE

3.3.1, PREVALENCE OF CHILD MARRIAGES

3.4, CAUSES OF CHILD MARRIAGE

3.4.1, REASONS FOR INCREASE IN THE PRACTICE

3.4.1.1, POVERTY

3.4.1.2, CULTURE

3.4.1.3, IGNORANCE

3.4.1.4, POOR PARENTING

3.4.1.5, PREFERNCE FOR VIRGINS

3.4.1.6, RESPONDENTS VIEWS ON WHAT SHOULD BE DONE

4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 CONCLUSION

4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
 7
1. THE CHILD MARRIAGE PROBLEM
BACKGROUND

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Child marriage is a universal issue with one third of the world’s girls married before the age of
18.statistics indicate that for every 9 teen agers, one is likely to get married before his 15th birthday.
If the present trends continue, 150 million girls will be married before their 18th birthday over the
next decade that is an average of 15 million girls per year. Malawi is one of the African countries
with a high rate of child marriages. According to the current research report, one out of two is likely
to be married before her eighteenth birthday. The situation is even worse here in Mulanje, a district
whose population has seen a sharp increase by a quarter in the last decade rising from 204 to 256
people per kilometre, with a very high illiteracy rate;atleast one in every 30 women is reported to
have finished secondary school education. The gap is a little bit smaller for men for at least one in
every thirteen men, is believed to have completed secondary education.

The employment rate is also high bearing the fact that the district has countable institutions which
can offer employment opportunities to the people.Mulanje has a few tea estates which serve
employment needs for people in the area. Research reports further indicate that one out of five
women is unemployed and one out of thirteen men is unemployed here in Mulanje. Furthermore
child marriages are prevalent in the area with 1 girl aged between 15-19 out of three girls already
having a child.

Child marriage is indeed a growing concern.it has resulted into a higher school dropout rate. Child
marriages affect mainly girls because social and biological factors make them vulnerable to sexually
transmitted infections and child bearing complications. The main aim behind this base line survey
therefore is a sustainable effort to fight child marriages in Mulanje district and end severe physical,
psychological and emotional effects it has on child wives. A Child marriage is defined as marriage of
anyone below the age of 18.

It is envisaged that this report will assist MAYESLO and related stakeholders to understand the
extent and effects of the problem and raise awareness on how to end child marriages.

8
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Despite being prevalent with a lot of impacts, child marriage attracts less attention here in Mulanje.
Up to now many girls as young as 12 are forced into marriage in red to social and economic factors.
Children often drop out of school to enter marriage in an unsuccessful attempt to escape Poverty.
Sometimes it is parents who force their daughters into marriage as this means one less mouth to
feed. The girl’s parents would marry off their child to an adult who is well to do as a way of making
sure the child’s future is secured before they die and also to make sure that they improve their social
status in the particular society they live in.culture and ignorance happen to be some of the factors
behind forced early marriages here in Mulanje. Despite its psychological and physiological effects,
this unaccepted act still happens here hence the need for all organisations actively partaking in
ending child marriages to continue the good work as this will bring about community development,
a thing which has been moving on chameleons pace till now.

In order to combat this problem which has culture as its roots, there is a need for influential figures
who deliver important information in a manner village people can understand. Delivery of this
information can be in form of drama and songs. As we now have the information about the causes
and effects of early marriages, it is high time we acted and explained to all people why Malawi is the
poorest country on earth according to the recent report by World Bank. This report was done in the
villages of walkable distances from Mulanje Boma and so there is need for a thorough research to
come up with a very accurate picture about child marriages here in Mulanje.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE SURVEY

1.3.1 MAIN OBJECTIVES

The main aim of this project is to raise awareness and acquire a solution towards the struggle to
eliminate practices which force children into marriage in Mulanje district. The broad objective was to
conduct an intensive baseline survey to gather specific data and generate general information on the
extent, magnitude and consequences of child marriage so as to contribute to efforts in preventing
child rights violations.

9
1.3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
 To assess the prevalence of child marriage cases in the study area.
 To analyse various social - economic and cultural factors that cause marriages here in
Mulanje.
 To assess the level of awareness on child marriage practices and related consequences
within the surrounding communities.
 To ensure that the research develops propositions with reference to respondents
recommendations on the solutions for ending child marriages in Malawi
 To raise awareness on the impact of child marriage especially to a girl child and build
possible alliance with the local communities so as to work together in eliminating the
common enemy.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Young children are forced into marriage owing to poverty, lack of parental care, illiteracy among
parents and even cultural practices. According to boys in the study area, they would also be forced
into marriage by factors like community pressure. In the villages one is considered an adult when he
has reached puberty stage, and so what is required of him is to marry and be on his own.failing to
take this path would mean that he would be side-lined on the activities of the community and he
would be receiving verbal insults by his parents as he is deemed to have masked his parents with a
face of shame.

This issue is therefore undertaken so that we should all join hands against child marriages. As this
project is underway, the study will categorically help MAYESLO request donors and stakeholders to
fund its interventions.

Putting an end to child marriages indeed requires knowledge on the objective cause and effect
relationship which can only be achieved through this research. The survey obtained data on the
prevalence and incidences of child marriage practices.it also dwelt on socio-economic and cultural
factors. Information on the level of awareness about its effect and respondents recommendations
for combatting the problem in the district was also acquired.
 10
The study findings are further expected to assist MAYESLO in setting a legal and social frame work
for the protection of children’s rights.

1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In order to collect both primary and secondary data, the baseline survey involved field and library
research. Library research was quite vital as the literature review specifically looks at legal
instruments, policy documents, child marriage related reports and documents, books and journals
about child marriages in Malawi were also used.

Primary data was collected through interviews, key informants, direct observation, questionnaires
and focus group discussions with the targeted respondents. Interviews and focus group discussions
were the main forms through which this primary data was collected due to their efficiency. This
survey used both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques.

LITERATURE REVIEW ON CHILD MARRIAGE IN MULANJE

The issue of child marriages in Mulanje is quite a growing concern.it is an issue which should be
understood from its adverse effects;interms of porverty,illiteracy,health impact, domestic violence
and various child rights violations.

MAYESLO aided by the research gatherings have come to establish that early marriage is basically a
human right issue.it is in fact a sociological issue. Among the people of Mulanje child marriage is
afflicted on both boys and girls at puberty who have gone through initiation ceremonies. This implies
that at least boys and girls aged 14 can end up in marriage. Statistics also indicate that child
marriages have increased child birth.in Mulanje at least one in every three women aged between
fifteen to nineteen is believed to have already begun child bearing.

Further reports indicate that one in every six deaths of women in the district is attributed to
maternal related complications. Current statics indicate that at least one in every 7 children under
the age of five in the district is reported to be underweight. There are high cases of early
pregnancies in the district with an HIV prevalence rate for girls between the ages of 15-19 at 4.2%.

Early marriages indeed pose a big threat to a girl child in the area. Child marriage is however a
universal issue.1/3 of girls in the developing world are married before the age of 18.atleast one in
 11
every 9 of them are also married by the age of 15.research projection indicate that should the
current trends continue, at least 150 million girls will be married before their 18th birthday over the
next decade. That an average of 15 million girls per year (….). Poverty has been identified as a key
factor to early marriages in Mulanje. High cost of raising children even the cost of educating a girl
child has prompted most parents to resort to early marriages.

The current study by MAYESLO therefore attempts to fill the gap with information and further
reflects the perceptions of communities in Mulanje on the issue of child marriage in the district even
suggested ways to combat it.

RESEARCH FINDINGS
The targeted respondents in all traditional authorities included men and women of different age
groups and socio-economic backgrounds. Gender, marital status and age were the main
demographic characteristics of the survey. Occupation and illiteracy level were taken into
consideration. The findings from our research have basically assisted us to acquire enough
information which which has assisted MAYESLO the level of community knowledge about the issue
of child marriage in the study area.

The research further assisted us to understand key issues associated with early marriages in the area
misconception on the right age, attitude of parents and the general public towards early marriages.
We further explored causes of early marriage and reasons for its increase. The effect of child
marriage in the area was further highlighted before offering an opportunity to offer their views on
what should be done to fight the problem of early marriages in T/A Nkanda, Mabuka and Chikumbu

3.2 KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE ISSUE OF CHILD MARRIAGES

A significant number of respondents indicated that child marriages start as early as 13.a clear
understanding of who a child is was outlined. On child marriage and effects was indicated to be high
amongst the respondents. Focus group discussions further revealed that puberty culturally refers to
readiness for marriage. The respondents further disclosed that they were not familiar with any
legislation concerning early marriages.
 AGE OF MARRIAGE FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
The majority of the respondents reported that by 14 years a girl or a boy is ready for marriage,
showing how ignorant they are on they are on the right age for marriage. When asked as to why this
has been the case, the respondents attributed the issue to poverty and culture.it appears that most
respondents consider completion of standard eight to be basic criteria for marriage.

MARRIAGE OF GIRLS BELOW 18 YEARS OF AGE

Most respondents aged 18 and above indicated their preference to marrying a younger girl owing to
facts that she is a virgin, has little control on the husband, her percentage of being HIV positive are
very low and so this helps them escape from the possibility of getting a wife who is already infected
with the virus. However the minority indicated that it is not right to marry a girl who is below 18
years as she is not mature enough to handle anything that comes along with marriage. Lastly the
respondents concluded that it is lack of secondary education to most of the women in the area that
makes them resort to early marriages.

ATTITUDE OF PARENTS
The majority of the women who have children below the age of 18 in the study area indicated that
they would not be happy to let their children enter marriage although they stressed that most
marriages are arranged by their husbands and they have no say in any of what happens after the
husband has decided to marry off their child. This clearly shows that they ignorant about the divorce
and family relations bill which points out that a child is a shared responsibility as this means that
whatever happens to the child should be something in line with what the husband, the wife and the
law requires

Most parents acknowledged the impact of poverty on child upbringing and the belief that early
marriage relieves economic burden.

RESPONDENTS ATTITUDE ON CHILD MARRIAGE

The majority of the respondents demonstrated ignorance on knowledge about child marriage. On
special clarification they were able to recall its implications citing several socio economic impacts
such as risks during child delivery, increased poverty, and denial for education. They also noted that
young couples cannot take good care of their children resulting into the children getting involved in
prostitution, and several other bad behaviours. Certain respondents indicated that they are nothing
wrong with child marriage as it is part of their culture.
 PREVALENCE OF CHILD MARRIAGES
The findings of this research clearly indicate that child marriages are prevalent in Mulanje.one of the
major indicators of prevalence of child marriage that was put into consideration was the high rate of
school dropout in these areas. Almost 99% percent of the respondents indicated that there is a high
prevalence rate of child marriage in the study area. The findings were further supported by the high
primary school dropout due to early pregnancies. According to the research, at least an average of
10 girls drop out of primary school education within the primary school in T/A Chikumbu, Mabuka
and Nkanda. Out of every fifteen respondents we approached in the area thirteen appeared to be
knowledgeable about several villagers who are already engaged in child marriages. The rate is even
acknowledged based on female respondents who referred to puberty as the right time when a girl
has to enter marriage. Stastics however indicated that an average female child can enter puberty
stage as early as 12.the survey therefore noticed that most girl children in the area tend to join
marriage as early as 13.

CAUSES OF CHILD MARRIAGES

The research indicated a number of socio economic factors with poverty being the major one. Lack
of knowledge about impacts of child marriages as well as rights for children was also outlined.
Culture was singled out alongside other factors such as poor parenting, men’s preference for virgins,
inadequate legislative frame work and the state of the country’s civil registration. When looking at
the causes of child marriage, the research immediately concluded that apart from poverty,
community members engaged in early marriage owing to perception that the family provides
protection for the married couple. This has been evidenced in younger men who came from single
parent families and married earlier seeking family comfort.

Furthermore, parents would also want to marry off their children in a bid to improve their status in
the community. Although many parents seem to understand how devastating child marriages are,
they still more go on to marry off their children for fear of them getting themselves engaged in
premarital sex which can result into premature pregnancies. The causes are indeed diverse as they
stem from norms and a lot of factors. Below is a clear explanation of the said reasons for early
marriages in the study area.

REASONS FOR INCREASE IN THE PRACTICE

POVERTY
Research findings indicate that parents and guardians living in poverty are often tempted to marry
off their children to reduce economic dependency. Since most of these people have many children,
it is very hard for them to even supply basic needs to their children such as good food, shelter,
clothing and even fees for their secondary education. When a girl child is among those children, she
is more likely to get involved in sexual activities to supply herself with her personal needs

Research also unveiled that girls lacking secondary education and living in very poor households
tends to marry earlier than those from well to do families and having secondary education. Poverty
has been described as the major cause of early marriage as most of the girl children cannot afford to
attain secondary and tertiary education owing to lack of school fees. Research findings indicate that
almost 78% of early marriage cases in the world come from developing countries who earn less than
2 dollars a day.

TRADITIONAL BELIEFS, CULTURE AND PRACTICES

From the way respondents answered some questions, we noted that customs and traditions also
fund early marriages in their locality. Furthermore initiation ceremonies which expose a boy and a
girl child to their sexual lives at a younger age are also among those activities that are fuelling the
rise of child marriage sin the study area since after having been initiated the children are
brainwashed to feel that they are then adults. Exposing a young person who doesn’t even know
what contraceptives are to their sexual life puts them at a high risk of getting HIV,other sexual
transmitted diseases and early pregnancies.

If girl child becomes pregnant, she is more likely to face complications during delivery and she may
not give birth to a health child. A young mother would find it very difficult to get back to school as
she would be afraid that she may be laughed upon by her friends at school.

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ON CHILDRENS RIGHTS AND IMPACT OF CHILD

MARRIAGE
With most of the respondents not familiar with the definition of child marriage, lack of knowledge
about child marriage issue was cited as what is causing its prevalence. They argued that knowledge
of the impacts and of the national laws and regulations can assist to fight the challenge

POOR PARENTING
Some respondents in the study area said that poor parenting fuels child marriage. They claim that
children can embark on sexual affairs very early because of lack of parental guidance. Such parents
may also lack the ability to teach children good conduct and behaviour so as to grow into
responsible members of the community.

MENS PREFERENCE FOR VIRGINS

Having HIV prevalence rate high among the youth, marrying a young and virgin girl is a best way to
escape contracting the virus. Most of the respondents claimed that young girls are easy to control
since they have limited economic needs as such they are guaranteed their positions as heads of the
family.
 14
INADEQUATE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK AND THE STATE OF THE COUNTRYS
CIVIL REGISLATION
The research indicated that despite the cases of child marriage being on the increase, perpetrators
of child marriage hardly face the law .i.e. the community can not report any child marriage cases to
law enforcers in the district. The marriage divorce and family relation bill which sets the marriage
age at 18 continues to say that children between the ages for 15-18 can get married under the
consent of parents or guardians.in the same section of the constitution it continues to simply
discourage rather than prohibit marriage of children below the age of 18.

In addition to the gaps in the existing laws, there are also challenges in the implementation and
enforcement of the law. Laws and policies have not been popularised to the extent that some duty
bearers are not able to effect them.in the same vein communities including girl children are not
awarded the laws that protect them and are therefore unable to demand their rights.

EFFECTS OF CHILD MARRIAGES

The literature and research reports from this survey indicated numerous effects.it ranges from
premature pregnancies to maternal mortality. This has further indicated a higher impact on infant
mortality rate.it also reads to other health complications such as fistula. A high illiteracy rate is
usually a product of early marriages as parents drop out of school early in order to run families
.poverty is likely to be enhanced by early marriages. This eventually hatches abuse and violence as
child mothers are likely to suffer from domestic violence from their elderly husbands.

The result of getting involved in a family structure earlier before the right age further makes the girl
child socially isolated from the society and so this brings about mental illness due to psychological
torture. Perhaps broken marriages and having many children in a family due to ignorance about
family planning methods are amongst the major effects of child marriage on a girl child.

RESPONDENTS VIEW ON WHAT SHOULD BE DONE

In T/A Nkanda, Mabuka and Chikumbu the respondents were given an opportunity to offer
suggestions on ending child marriages. The answers were as follows;
- There is a need for a continuous awareness on the issue of child marriage for the community to be

knowledgeable on the subject.

15
- Special attention must be provided to victims of child marriages in the area

- the government should take displinary actions on the perpetrators of child marriage

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSIONS
The report has attempted to explore and report on its prevalence of child marriage and its effects a
girl child in mulanje.it is clear based on the findings of this survey that child marriage is a growing
concern here.there is a little knowledge on any issues of child marriages. Little has so far been done
to combat it.Government, non-governmental organisations, the community and other stake holders
are therefore requested to immediately join hands in creating project interventions based on
eradicating its main cause.

MAYESLO therefore calls on donors, stakeholders and other interested parties to assist the youth
organisation in its determination to assist Mulanje district in the fight against early marriages.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM MAYESLO TO ALL INVOLVED PARTIES

Provision of continuous education to officials in the community on the consequences of early
marriage and the existing law.

An awareness creation amongst community members on the negative consequences of early

marriages.

Creation of youth clubs to assist the organisation in identifying problems and combating them from
community level.

To act as resource centre for child marriage issues in the district.

Provision of continuous research and project interventions aimed at combating early marriages from
the district

There is a need for an introduction of comprehensive sex curriculum for primary students to make
sure the risk of un wanted pregnancies is decreased thereby decreasing school dropout rates too

Improve data collection on the number of girls who drop out of school so as to measure the
effectiveness of the existing laws

Impose very hard penalties on education authorities who fail to initiate legal action against
offenders who marry or impregnate pupils.

Expand access to vocation training opportunities for married women and girls in all districts.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM RESPONDENTS

Most parents indicated that empowering them with information about the law is as good as
empowering their children hence the need for that action to be done.

Most respondents also asked for all stake holders to help in civic educating them about the issue as
this holds the key to effective prevention of child marriage.

Respondents further suggested that a national network be developed and be held on the issue so
that everyone is well conversant with the bad consequences of child marriages.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT

Setting the legal marriage age for both boys and girls at 18 years thereby making sure the marriage
gap that allows children below 18years of age get married under the consent of their parents

Construction of hospitals in areas where there are no hospitals so as to make child registration at
birth compulsory.

Making sure that all child marriage related laws are strictly implemented and enforced.

Government schools must greatly be improved as far as sanitation, learning materials and standards
of education are concerned

The Government has to introduce compulsory child education here in Malawi

RECOMMENDATIONS TO DONORS AND STAKEHOLDERS

Fund programs that are aimed at identifying children at risk of child marriages and take an
immediate action including having conversations with their families so as not to let child marriage
continue

Fund programs that are aimed at assisting victims of child marriages such as psychological and
economic support and making sure the victims are back to school.

Invest in programs that would work with religious and community leaders so as to teach them the
importance of educating a girl child,

Fund community based initiatives that are there to change social norms and attitudes towards early
marriages

Invest in long term projects that address underlying causes of child marriages such as poverty which
can be dealt with by empowering local communities economically.
 REFFERENCES
Marriage, divorce and family relations bill, constitution of Malawi.

The United Nations convention 1989

Bunting A. (1999)”CHILD MARRIAGE: international court instruments, organisations and selected

regional issues affecting women” The journal of women and international Human rights

International institute for population sciences (llps).2000

Mulanje mission 2014 annual report.

ICRW.2008b.not ready: lesson from India on delaying marriage for girls. Washington DC:
international canter for research on women

African charter on rights and welfare of the child (1990) OAU DOC.CAB/LEG/24.9/49 entered into
force 1999.

UNICEF 2001 early marriage child spouse inocenti digesti no.7 march 2001

Amin, S.E. Chong and H. Haberland.2008.programms to address child marriage: framing the
problems, promoting healthy, safe and productive transition to adulthood, brief nos.14.New York:
population council