ABSTRACT

This research work shows the issues of early child’s marriage in Nigeria and

way in which the media has helped in spreading news about its disadvantages,

harmful consequences. It also shows how it constitute badly to be barrier for

the good education and enjoyment for the child. The research findings from

respondents, questioning and answers and equally extensive reading and surfing

the internet for materials related to early child’s marriage in Nigeria. From the

various findings, suggest that early child’s marriage is due to some factors such

as search for economic survival, protection of young girls, peer groups and

pressure from family, controlling female behaviour and sexuality, socio-cultural

and religious values. It is a violation of girls human rights as it deprives her

from freedom, opportunity to personal development. It deprives them to having

good education as such young girls drop out of school to get married. Some are

molested even in the marriage. With this research work, it was able to come up

with a solution for this, and it is the use of media to inform the public about the

harmful and disadvantage of early child marriage by promoting basic education,

fight against poverty. The prevention of child abuse and marriage molestation,

etc. To solve or handle this problem, some plans have been derived mainly for

providing good opportunities for young girls, promoting education that is very

affordable, using the mass media to increase the awareness of the whole

community about the consequences of early child’s marriage on girls

themselves, their family and on the community as a whole.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the study

1.2 Statement of the problem

1.3 Objectives of the study

1.4 Research questions

1.5 Significance of the study

1.6 Scope of the study

1.7 Definition of terms

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Literature review

2.2 Theoretical review

2.3 Summary of literature

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Research methodology

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research design

3.3 Area of study

3.4 Population of study

3.5 Sampling and sampling procedures

3.6 Instrument of data collection

3.7 Measurable variables

3.8 Data analysis method

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Data analysis and interpretation

4.3 Discussion of the findings

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendation

5.4 References
 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Amongst the trio of key events in many people’s lives, marriage is the only

important event that is meant to be by choice. The right to exercise that choice

was recognized as a principle of law even in Roman times and has long been

established in international human rights instruments. Yet many girls, and a

smaller number of boys, enter into marriage without any chance of exercising

their right to choose. Some are forced into marriage at a very early age. Others

are simply too young to make an informed decision about their marriage partner

or about the implications of marriage itself. They may have given what passes

for ‘consent’ in the eyes of custom or the law, but in reality, consent to their

binding union has been made by others on their behalf.

The assumption is that once a girl is married, she has become a woman – even if

she is only 12. Equally, where a boy is made to marry, he is now a man and

must put away childish things. While the age of marriage is generally on the

rise, early marriage – marriage of children and adolescents below the age of 18

is still widely practiced. While early marriage takes many different forms and

has various causes, one issue is paramount.

Whether it happens to a girl or a boy, early marriage is a violation of human

rights. The right to free and full consent to a marriage is recognized in the
1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and in many subsequent

human rights instruments – consent that cannot be ‘free and full’ when at least

one partner is very immature. For both girls and boys, early marriage has

profound physical, intellectual, psychological and emotional impacts, cutting

off educational opportunity and chances of personal growth.

For girls, in addition, it will almost certainly lead to premature pregnancy and

childbearing, and is likely to lead to a lifetime of domestic and sexual

subservience over which they have no control (Eboh, 1996).

Early marriage before the age of 18 is a violation of a number of international

human rights charters and conventions such as 1989

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1979 Convention on the

Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEFADW), the

1989 African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the 1990 African

Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Women. However, for many young girls

in developing countries, marriage is perceived as a means of securing their

future and protecting them. Girls are forced into marriage by their families

while they are still children in the hope that marriage will benefit them both

financially and socially. On the contrary, early marriage violates the rights of

children with often more negative consequences on the girls than the boys. This

compromises their overall development, leaving them socially isolated with

little or no education, skills and opportunities for employment and self –

realization. These conditions ultimately make married girls more vulnerable to

poverty. Young married girls are indeed a unique group, coming under great

pressure on a number of fronts. They are required to do a disproportionate

amount of domestic chores, which includes new roles and responsibilities as

wives and mothers. The young bride’s status in the family is frequently

dependent on her demonstrating her fertility-often within the first year of her

marriage at a time when she is not yet physiologically, psychologically and

emotionally prepared. Additionally, girls are made to be responsible for the care

and welfare of future generations while still children themselves. Young

mothers with no decision making powers, restricted mobility and no economic

resources are likely to transmit this vulnerability to their off-springs. Therefore,

early marriage directly compounds the ‘feminization of poverty’ and

intergenerational poverty (Saxena, Shobha, 1999). Several studies confirm wide

age gaps between younger married girls and their spouses. This age gap clearly

creates unequal power relationship between the younger brides and her older

and more experienced husband, resulting in husband having total control over

sexual relations and decision-making. Since younger brides are socially

conditioned not to question the authority of their husbands, they are often

unable to use contraception or to plan their families. The combined effect of

these factors may also make younger brides more likely to tolerate partner

violence.

While there is widespread agreement that early marriage, early pregnancy and

motherhood adversely affects general development and education of girls and

they are the links with poverty and wide consequences on families and

communities have not been adequately explored. This is partly due to the

‘invisibility’ of younger married girl in most communities, and the fact that

marriage confers adult status to girls and boys (Bruce,

2002).

Yet, many societies, primarily in Africa and South Asia, continue to support the

idea that girls should marry at or soon after puberty. Their spouses are likely to

be a few years older than they are, but may be more than twice their age.

Parents and heads of families make marital choices for daughters and sons with

little regard for the personal implications. Rather, they look upon marriage as a

family-building strategy, an economic arrangement or a way to protect girls

from unwelcome sexual advances.

Meanwhile, tradition and culture endorse the concept of early marriage, the

1999 Nigerian constitution is silent on the issue, although it could be implied

from the provisions of section 29 that parties to a marriage must be of full age.

Under subsection 29(4)(a), ‘any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of

full age’. On the other hand, subsection (4)(a) stated that ‘full age’ means the

age of eighteen years and above.

Thus, in spite of that section of Nigerian constitution, early marriage still poses

a problem in most part of Nigeria, as in many other countries in Africa and

beyond. It is practiced and justified in the name of tradition, culture and

religion. That was why some people like the former governor of Zamfara state,
Alh. Ahmed Sani Yerima Bakura and Mmerole Ogha the husband of Mgbeoye

got married to a 13 and 9 year old girl respectively. Especially vulnerable are

young girls in rural areas, poor, and deprived communities.

This situation reflects the relatively strong adherence to tradition, and the

relative lack of opportunities affecting women in rural areas. In Nigeria in

general, and among Northerners (Hausas) in particular, early marriage dates

back to the formation of the society itself. In that part of the country, it is not

uncommon for girls below the age of 12 to get married, and it is going beyond

the expectation unlike in other parts of the country. The National Baseline

Survey of Positive and Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting

Women and Girls in Nigeria 1999 revealed that the aggregate mean age at

marriage for female children is 16.7 years. In the north-east the age is 15.2 years

and in the north-west, 14.2 years. This is an indicator of the prevalence of early

marriage in Nigeria (Shehu, 2002).

The research findings from respondents, questioning and answers and

equally extensive reading and surfing through the internet for materials relating

to early child’s marriage in Nigeria. From the various findings, suggest that

early child’s marriage is due to some factors such as; protection of young girls,

search for economic survival, peer groups and pressure from family, socio-

cultural and religious value. It is a violation of a child’s right as it is been

compromised from them, the freedom, and opportunity to personal

development. It deprives them the right of not having good and quality
education as such young girls drop out of school to get married, some are even

molested in the so called marriage, young boys equally drop out of school to

make money by may be trading, or doing some other maniac jobs etc. just to

care for his family at a young age.

With this research work, it was able to come up with some solutions and

it is the use of media to inform the public about the harmful and disadvantages

in early child’s marriage by promoting basic education, fight against poverty,

prevention of child abuse and molestation.

1.2 STATAEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Early child marriage is in widespread in many developing countries with

a high spread in the sub-Saharan African, more particularly in Nigeria.

Therefore, this research work was designed to analyse that issue emphasizing on

the Northern Nigeria and find out ways in which this early child’s marriage can

be eradicated. Early marriage contributes to a series of negative consequences

both for young girls and for the society in which they live in. It is a violation of

human rights in general and of girl’s right in particular. For both boys and girls

early marriage has propound physical, intellectual, psychological and emotional

inn act, cutting of education and other opportunities to personal growth. In this

research work, emphasis is given to the girl child mostly as this is an issue that

impacts upon them in far larger numbers and with more intensity and
consequences. This study should seek and find answers to how this practice can

be stopped in Nigeria.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

This work is mostly focused on eradicating early marriage in Nigeria and

sending out information through the use of mass media to tell child marriage.

There are some explicit or special objectives of this research work and they are

listed below:

 To identify the reasons behind early child marriage in Nigeria using the

Northern Nigeria as a conceptual framework or model.

 How it constitute a violation on their human right and how bad it affects

the girl well-being.

 To investigate the demerits and implications of early marriage in the

Northern Nigeria.

 To recommend ways of amending it.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

 What is the reason behind early marriage continuation in Northern

Nigeria?

 Does early marriage affect girls’ wellbeing and add a violation on their

human rights?
  Does it lead to poor development?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be used to impact and tell the world about developmental

implications of early child’s marriage in Nigeria and the North in particular.

There are things to be learnt from this study and it will be helpful to the

government in enacting and implementing policies and programes that will stop

the menace of early marriage in Nigeria.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research work is required to cover the developmental implications of

early marriage in the Northern Nigeria.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Marriage: It is the union of two people that creates a family the carries

out legal, social and or religious responsibilities.

2. Early: Before the expected time or arriving a time before expected,

sooner than on time.

3. Development: It involves growth, directed change, and advanced

movement towards something better.

4. Implications: Something that is involved as a result of something else.

Or it is the negative consequences or repercussion that comes out of something.

5. Nigeria: A country in West Africa, on the gulf of guinea, South of

Niger became an independent member of the British Common Wealth in 1960.

Her population is over 138,28, 240 as estimated in . Abuja is her capital and

her currency is Naira, her official name is Federal Republic of Nigeria. They

speak English but have over 250 ethnic groups and languages.

While more women are now marrying whenever or in their later ages in

some places around the country or many regions, early marriage remains norm.

In most developing countries, overall, 20-50% of women get married before the

18 years of age, with the highest percentage in sub-sahara Africa and south

Asia. Even though early marriage is prevalent in Nigeria, Northern Nigeria has

some of the highest rates of early marriages in the world where 78% of girls are

married off before the age of 18 and 48% are married before they turn 15 years

old.
 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

In literature review attempt should be made in telling the public the

definition of early marriage for better understanding to review the struggle of

early marriage in Africa, early marriage as a developmental challenge and the

main issues surrounding early marriage that is the harm, disadvantages and the

consequences of early marriage.

What is Early Marriage?

Early marriage or child marriage is defined as the marriage or the union

between two people in which one or both parties are younger than 18 years of

age. Birth, marriage and death are the standard two of key event in most

people’s lives. But only one “marriage” is a matter choice. The right to

exercise that choice was recognized as a principle of law even in Roman times

and has long been established in international human right instruments, yet

many girls and a smatter number of boys enter marriages without any chance of

exercising their right to choose.

 In 1989, study by World Health Organization, it was found that in south

east Asia 24% of girls at 14 years of age are married, in Africa 44% in Latin

America 16% of women below the age of 18 years were married (Who, 1989).

Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 1990 shows that half of all women in

Nigeria were married by age of 17, while the median age at early marriage

varied from one region to another. Most early marriages are arranged and based

on the consent of parents and often fail to ensure the best interest of the girl

child. Early child marriages most times include some element of force (Otto

Ojorkey and Pobi, 2003).

To solve or handle this problem, some plans have beend derived mainly

to see in the provision of good opportunities for young girls and boys,

promoting education that is very affordable, using the mass media to increase

the awareness of the whole community about the disadvantages and

consequences of early child’s marriage especially on girls themselves, their

family and on the community as a whole.

The right to free and full consent to a marriage is recognized in the 1948

Universal Declaration of Human Right (UDHR) and in many subsequent human

right instruments. Early marriage before the age of 18 is a violation of a

number of international human right charters and conventions such as the

(CRC) 1989) convention of right of child, 1979 convention on the Elimination

of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEFADW) etc. In most places

like the North and Middle Bel;t (Benue State), Girls are forced into marriage by
their families while they ‘re still children, some are not even aware that they are

married until the due time when they say the child is now due for marriage and

she is been given away for marriage. Most times this families do it for their

own interest, hoping to benefit financially, socially and otherwise. The young

bride’s position in the family where she has been forced to depends on her

showing fertility often within the first year of her marriage at a time when she’s

not yet psychologically and emotionally prepared.

At her young age the girl bride are to be responsible for taking care of

future generations while they are still kids themselves, and most times

emotionally and psychologically unstable. Several research questioning and

answers confirm wide age gaps between this younger married girls and their

spouses. The age difference clearly creates unequal power relationship between

the girl child and her over experienced spouse, resulting to the total control of

her husband in all decision making. In the North, it is said that a wife do not

have the right to question decisions of husband s to do all the says, they are

unable to use contraception or to plan their families. In the North it is

uncommon for girls below the age of 12 to get married. The National Baseline

Survey of positive and harmful traditional Practices Affecting Women and girls

in Nigeria 1999 revealed that the aggregate mean age at marriage for female

children is 16 years. In the North East the age is 15.2 years and in the North

West 14.2 years. This is an indicator of the . prevalence of early marriage in

Nigeria (Shew, 2002).

Drivers of child marriage

A. Drivers identified globally

A statistical analysis of data related to child marriage showed that the risk of

child marriage has been decreasing over time. The fixed effect binary logistic

regression model identified that rural inhabitation, having Islam as religion and

poverty are the mostly significant risk factors for child marriage. The same

study also suggested women’s education as an important determinant. Nour et

al. (2009) identified three main forces as drivers of child marriages: poverty, the

need to reinforce social ties, and the belief that it offers protection. It has been

shown in literature that poverty plays the most important role in perpetuating

child marriage. It is found that girls living in poor households are almost twice

as likely as girls from wealthier families to marry before the age of 18 years.

The poorer parents are faced with 2 economic incentives from child marriage;

firstly, to ensure their daughter’s financial security and secondly, to reduce the

economic burden daughters place on the family. In some cultures, the girls’

families get dowry on marriage and the dowry decreases as the girl gets older,

which may tempt parents to have their daughters married and married at

younger ages. The parents in some African countries also worry about ensuring

their daughters‟ virginity and chastity. Child marriage is also seen as a

protective mechanism against premarital sexual activity, unintended

pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In a study, primary and

secondary education was found to be protective for child marriage in India,

while only secondary education was protective in Nepal.

B. Drivers identified in Africa

Malhotra (2010) in his study identifies the main determinants of early marriage

as religion, poverty, lack of education and economic conditions in Ethiopia. He

further proposes some solutions to early marriage- raising awareness to

eradicate forced child marriage, providing girls with life skills such as numeracy

and literacy in order to express their needs and interests to leaders.

He then emphasises that ending child marriage will not only yield a double

dividend but can also break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

Adebowale et al. (2013) study early marriage in Malawi. Using a cox

proportional hazard model, they discovered that early marriage can lead to high

fertility in women, maternal deaths and low socioeconomic advancement. The

uniqueness of this research work is the use of a cox proportional hazard model

which was used to identify the hazard of early marriages in different regions in

Malawi. This model showed that the hazard of early marriage was low in central

Malawi but high in the Northern region. However, in the South, early marriage

was higher amongst males than in the North. They also show that the prevalence

of early marriage was approximately 60% in women and 14% in men. The

difference in percentages is disturbing and requires urgent attention.

According to the Population Council, in Ethiopia, 50% of girls get married

before age 15.

Workineh et al. (2015) focus on Northwest Ethiopia as a case study for the

determinants of early marriage. The authors show that the odds of early

marriage in Northwest Ethiopia were 95% higher in rural than urban areas.

They also show that monthly income was an important determinant of early

marriage in Ethiopia. Additionally, the legal marriage age was unknown to

many individuals who took the survey. In conclusion, those who did not know

the legal marriage age were 12 times more likely to practice early marriage than

those who were aware of it.

In Nigeria, there are few studies on the prevalence of child marriage.

Envuladu et al. (2016) use the Plateau state as a case study, using indicators like

level of education of parents, place of residence, religion, father’s employment

and number of siblings. The authors conduct a primary research by distributing

questionnaires to school girls. 46% of the girls identify that they were forced by

their parents to get married before 18. This is the case for most girls that get

married before age 18. Most girls forced into early marriage end up having to

care for children when they are still growing. This can lead to a negative ripple

effect on mother and child.

Age at first sexual intercourse has been revealed as one of the determinants of

early marriage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mpilambo et al.

(2017) use a multivariate analysis and discover that girls who had their first
sexual intercourse before age 16 are about 73 times more likely to get married

before age 18. The DRC has a high prevalence of early child marriage at 74%

even though it is illegal to marry a child below age 18. The authors emphasise

that adoption of formal sex education at an early age is important to curb early

marriage in DRC. This paper is distinctive because most literature on child

marriage does not focus on the age of first intercourse.

However, using that variable is not without problems because of correlation

between age at first intercourse and age at first cohabitation.

Another gap in the literature is that most articles on the effects and determinants

of early marriage focus on Asia. According to Avogo and Somefun (2019), the

incidence of child marriage in West Africa is one of the highest in the world,

thus researchers need to do more work on this topic. Avogo and Somefun

examine the timing of marriage formation and childbearing across these West

African countries- Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger. Niger has 60% of early

marriage occurrence, followed by Nigeria with 28% and Burkina Faso with

25%. They mention that individual characteristics- women’s education, place of

residence, economic status and public indicators are strong determinants of

early marriage and child bearing.

Most of the literature on early child marriage identifies similar determinants of

early marriages.
This research work will focus on the structural/demographic determinants of

early marriage in Nigeria using a multivariate logistic regression modelling. In

Nigeria, most studies on early child marriage focus on the Northern states.

Consequences of child marriage

A. Health consequences related to pregnancy, childbirth and on offspring

Marriage at a very young age has grave health consequences for both the young

women and their children. These women are more likely than those who are

married as adults to report early, frequent, and un-planned pregnancies

Deliveries from child marriages can be called “too soon, too close, too many, or

too late.” Data demonstrate that even after surviving the first year, children

younger than 5 years had a 28% higher mortality rate in the young mothers‟

cohort which might be due to the young mothers‟ poor nutrition, physical and

emotional immaturity, lack of access to social and reproductive services, and

higher risk for infectious diseases. Such pregnancies have been consistently

linked to increased risk of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. In a

study the association between child marriage and high fertility, a repeat child-

birth in less than 24 months, multiple un-wanted pregnancies, pregnancy

termination, and sterilization all found to be significant after controlling for

duration of marriage. Moreover, the adolescent mothers are also more likely to

experience fistula, pregnancy complications, and death during childbirth than

are older mothers. The pathophysiology of obstructed labour of young pregnant

women lies in the smaller size of the pelvis which ultimately leads to obstetric

fistula. Girls aged 15 to 19 years are twice as likely as older women to die from

childbirth and pregnancy, making pregnancy the leading cause of maternal

death in poor countries for this age group. The result of a recent study suggested

that child marriage is significantly associated with a history of rapid repeat

childbirth, current modern contraceptive use, female sterilization, not using

contraception before first childbirth, pregnancy termination, unintended

pregnancy, and in-adequate use of maternal health services, although the

associations are not always consistent across countries. Findings of another

study revealed that, after being adjusted for socio-demographic factors, child

marriage compared to adult marriage appeared to be significantly associated

with lower age at first birth, higher fertility, in-creased risk of child mortality,

decreased risk of contraceptive-use before any child-births, higher risk of giving

three or more childbirth, elevated risk of unplanned pregnancies, increased risk

of pregnancy termination, and higher risk of the use of any current

contraceptive method. Besides, child marriage found to be significantly

associated with the likelihood of still-birth/miscarriage and pregnancy

termination in Bangladesh. The children of teenage mothers experience serious

health consequences as well which include premature birth, low birth weight or

deaths. A study suggested that stunting and underweight remained significantly

associated with maternal early marriage even after adjusted analyses. Therefore,
we can infer that child marriage has a very pro-found negative impact on girl

mothers and their offspring’s health.

B. Health consequences related to infection and other diseases

The adolescent girls are in increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases,

cervical cancer, malaria, and even HIV. It is evident that marriage by age 20 has

become a risk factor for HIV infection for young and adolescent girls. In sub-

Saharan Africa, girls ages 15–19 years are 2–8 times more likely than boys of

the same age to become infected with HIV. Early marriage is named as a risk

factor for cervical cancer as well. Research demonstrates that child marriage

also increases the risk of human papillomavirus trans-mission and cervical

cancer. Pregnant girls are at increased risk of acquiring diseases like malaria.

Early initiation of sexual intercourse has been linked to increased risk of

sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pregnancy during adolescence. As a

result of these health consequences the girls feel rejected, isolated, and

depressed which can be considered as the psychological health con-sequence of

child marriage.

C. Educational consequences

Child marriage has serious consequences for national development, stunting

educational and vocational opportunities for a large sector of the population. A

statistical modelling exercise showed that each additional year of early marriage
reduces the probability of literacy among women who married early by 5.7

percentage points, the probability of having at least some secondary schooling

by 5.6 points, and the probability of secondary school completion by 3.5 points.

Early marriage causes girls to drop out from education and it limits their

reasonable opportunities for social activities which has been evident from a

study where it was found that only 45% of the adolescent girls were enrolled in

secondary school and even fewer attended regularly. New brides are expected

and forced into the work of their husband’s household like the child domes-tic

workers which impacts on the continuation of their education as well.

D. Socio-economic consequences

The negative outcomes associated with early marriage and dropping out of high

school have the potential to affect not only the individual decision-making but

also children and the rest of the society. The adolescent brides are expected to

take part in the household chores which also hampers their education and puts

them in societal pressure. Thus child brides are less able than older or unmarried

girls to access schooling and income-generating opportunities or to benefit from

education or economic development programs. Child marriage is a substantial

hurdle to socio-economic development in Nigeria as in other developing

countries.

Key Problems Surrounding Early Marriage

 There are so many consequences surrounding early child’s marriage

today and they are as follows:

 Increased risk of contracting STDs and HIV/AIDs.

 Lack of power

 Divorce or Abandonment and early widowhood

 Health issues.

Context of Early Child Marriage in Nigeria (Case Study, Northern Nigeria)

In the Northern Nigeria, little girls who have starting menstruating are

considered mature for marriage and the case of menstruation varies as a girls of

twelve can be given out for marriage based on the fact that she has started

menstruating. Although the Nigeria government has tried to stamp out child

marriage with the enactment of child’s rights Act of 2003, the practice of child

marriage is still prevalent among the Hausa-Fulani tribe (predominantly

Muslim) who occupy the Northern Nigeria and where sharia law is in force.

Reasons and Consequences of Childs Marriage in Northern Nigeria

The high percentage of child marriage in Northern Nigeria can be

attributed mo9stly to the fact that the practice of Islam in the region endorses

child marriage. However, other than Islam, additional factors contribute to this

practice which are as follows bellow:

(1) Poverty

(2) It is seen as a way of preserving the virtue of girls.

(3) To avoid dishonour

One of the disastrous effects on children who marry early outweigh those

and undoubtedly make child marriage a social evil. One of the disastrous effect

is the development of vesicovaginal fistula, which is abnormal duct between the

vaginal wall and bladder or urethra, and this is very high in the Northern

Nigeria, was proven by Ijaiya et al, in a study carried out. According the study,

in Kano state, 120 vesicovaginal fistula patients were admitted in two months,

in Maiduguri, 241 patients were admitted in 2 years and in jobs and Sokoto had

932 cases in 7½ years and 31 cases in one year respectively.

How the Media helped in the Cases of Early Child’s Marriage

Newspapers play the traditional role of educating the masses and setting

agenda for publication. News coverage can have a strong influence on how the

public will respond to societal issues. Child marriage as a global issue involves

the giving out to marriage a child who is not mentally, psychologically,

emotionally, physically prepared for marital life to an older man or same age as

his bride. The media informs the public, matters relating to their health and

warn them against any danger. The perform the watchdog role in the society,
they alert the public to possible threats and new trend. With the help of the

media today it is easy to find out more about the harm of early marriages and

with the help of the media today. It is easy to report to them if you are being

molested in the marriage and they will surely come for help.

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1. INTRODUCTION
To illustrate the methodology used in this research, Dala local government in

Kano state was carefully selected for this study; with a dense population of

about 418,777 according to 2006 census. In this chapter, the demographic,

clinical and geographic characteristics of Kabuwaya ward in Dala local

government of Kano state is used as the major criteria for inclusion in the study,

with a specific target on the female children within the ages of 12 to 19, who

were either school dropouts at such a tender age, or betrothed to be married at

such age, with proper investigation as to what reasons they chose to or were

forced to marry that early, and the role of the media towards sensitization. The

participants who made themselves available were sampled. In this chapter, the

researcher describes the research design that was chosen for the purpose of this

study and the reasons for this choice. The instrument that was used for data

collection is also described and the procedures that were followed to carry out

this study are included. The researcher also discusses the methods used to

analyze the data. Lastly, the ethical issues that were followed in the process are

also discussed.

3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN

This research is exploratory in nature as it attempts to explore the experiences

of girls subjected to early child marriage. Their subjective perceptions formed

the core data of the study; hence it needed the method that would deal with the

topic in an exploratory nature.

For the purpose of this study, the research paradigm that was followed is of

qualitative nature, using semi-structured interviews as discussed later in the

chapter. Leedy (1993) explains that qualitative research is based on the belief

that first hand experience provides the most meaningful data. It is also believed

that qualitative data gives large volumes of quality data from a limited number

of people. It is aimed at understanding the world of participants from their

frame of reference (Walker, 1985). It would have been impossible to make a

quantitative evaluation on this study because it is based on the perception of

people and cannot be scientifically measured.

Since early child marriage is a complex subject, the suitable method for data

collection would be a qualitative one because of its ability to bring out

experiences of the participants in both exploratory and descriptive forms.

3.3 AREA OF STUDY

Although Abuja has the highest occurrence of Vesico-Virginal Fistula in

Nigeria, which could be as a result of early child marriage, one cannot conclude

that it is the only effect of early child marriage. Statistics has it that the northern

part of the country was more exposed to the practice of early child marriage and
Kano, however, is the right area for this study considering the dense population

and the high level of illiteracy. Kabuwaya ward in Dala local government area

of Kano state was chosen for this research purpose.

3.4 POPULATION OF THE STUDY

The chosen area of study, Kubuwaya in Dala local government area of Kano

state, has almost half of the gross population of 418,777 people according to

2006 census. Meanwhile, for the purpose of this study, over 80 female teenagers

were engaged in the research including 21 women leaders and 1 town leader.

3.5 SAMPLING AND SAMPLING PROCEDURES

The initial contact was made with the 3 local media houses in the local

government, two of which was set up by the community leaders and council.

Letters were sent out explaining the research aims to them and requesting

assistance with obtaining the sample. Some media houses never responded even

when the follow-up was made, whereas others were willing to assist but did not

have people who met the criteria for participating. In other instances, women
and children who would have been contacted had either given wrong contact

details to the town council and media houses hence could not be located, or

their numbers were not working. On two occasions the media house working

with the research team had referred a woman and a girl who did not meet the

criteria as one was got married at the age of 27 thereby was not experience

enough to give enough information on the research, and the girl who could not

speak a single English and our interpreter was unavailable at the time.

On meeting the women, children and a few selected adult male leaders who

voluntarily participated, a brief description of the purpose of the study was

explained verbally, and they were also given written information about the

study, which included that participation was voluntary, that they could withdraw

at any time without any negative consequences, and also, assurance about

confidentiality and anonymity. These measures were aimed at ensuring

informed consent, which the participants signed afterwards. Consent to record

the interviews with audiotape was also obtained.

All the interviews were conducted by the researcher since early child marriage

is a very sensitive topic, it needs a skilled interviewer who has an ability for

empathic understanding of the girls’ and womens’ predicaments, and who could

listen with greater sensitivity towards them. Some interviews were conducted in

the various town halls of different clans, others in the participants’ homes and

also in the researcher’s little office created at the local media house. All but one
interview took between 30-60 minutes, which depended on the amount of

probing done by the interviewer for each individual participant to reflect on her

experiences. This also depended on each individual’s emotional state at the time

of an interview. One interview took about 60 minutes as the participant was

eager to talk about her experience. There were all audio-recorded. The

interviews were conducted in the language of each participant’s preference, of

which there were a few in English, more in Hausa and just one in Fulani.

According to the media personals who assisted in obtaining and accessing the

sample, a number of women and children refused to participate whilst others

agreed and either did not turn up for their appointment, changed their minds, or,

at the last minute, cancelled telephonically. But those Women and girl children

who participated were interested in the study and willing to share their

experiences with the researcher.

After the interview, some mothers required debriefing which was done at that

point. Some were provided with contact details of the Wits Trauma Clinic and

Transwerk Memorial Institute (TMI), and the Girl not bride initiative for further

debriefing sessions.

3.6 INSTRUMENT OF DATA COLLECTION

For the purpose of this study, the researcher used semi-structured in-depth

clinical interviews, which involved both direct questioning using open-ended

questions and also the clinical observations of the women and children as they

related their experiences. In addition to open-ended questions, there were

closed-ended questions that were used to obtain the demographic data on the

women leaders, the girl children involved, their husbands and a few concerned

individuals.

The first section of the oral questionnaire covered the biographical information

of the girl child, the parents/guardian, husbands. It also included the brief

implications and demerits of girl child marriage. The second section explored

the family situation before their girl children are given out for marriage which

seemed like a normal culture amongst majority, and the last section explored the

early marriage itself, the process of discovery/disclosure, maternal response to

that and the psychological impact it had on both the girl child, the husbands and

the children these young child will raise and on the relationship amongst the

family members, with specific focus on that of the girl child and her husband.

Also, it explored the actions that were taken by the women leaders upon

discovery and their feelings about the unhealthy practice.

Since this is an exploratory study, the use of a semi-structured interview

allowed the researcher some flexibility in the way she worded the questions for

each individual participant. It also gave the researcher the opportunity to probe
for more information and clarification where necessary (Kvale, 1996; Walker,

1985).

According to Neuman (2000), the researcher needs to have a skill to match the

research question to an appropriate technique. This author further stated that for

exploratory research, open-ended questionnaires are the most effective. This

view supports that of Riessman (1993, p.54), when he pointed out that it is

useful “…to ask questions that open up the topic and allow respondents to

construct answers in collaboration with the listeners, in ways they find

meaningful.”

How the participants tell their stories is suggestive of what meaning they attach

to their experiences. This is in line with Neuman’s (2000) point that the

researcher needs to note the non-verbal communication as it might add meaning

to the content of the participants’ stories.

3.7 MEASURABLE VARIABLES

Women (n) Girl Children (n)

Ages in years Ages in years
 • 9-12 21

• 31-33 2
• 13-15 67

• 36-39 4
• 16-17 73

• >40 1
• 18-19
35

TOTAL 7 196

Highest Level of Highest Level of

Education Education

primary 2 2 primary 2 2

• • 2
2
primary 3-4 primary 3-4

3 3
• •
primary 4-6 primary 4-6
Total 7 7

Employment Employment

Status Status

•Employ •Employ

ed 3 ed 0

•Unempl •Unempl

oyed 3 oyed 0

•Self-employed 1 •Self-employed 1

Total 7 1
The women’s ages ranged between 31-48 years, with the mean age of 37.4

years, and their children’s ranged between 6-13 years, with the mean of 8.75

years, at the time of the interview. The husbands’ ages ranged between 36-63

years, with the mean of 37.8 years. Of the seven women, two had two daughters

each who had been given out for marriage against their own will at a very

young age, but one of the second daughters was already out of age range

according to criteria, although she had been betrothed since she was 6 years old.

This particular woman spoke a lot about this other daughter’s marriage, and the

researcher allowed her the time and space to talk about that experience.

Among the husbands to these young girls, four were married to their because

their families also pushed them to it, which almost raised another debate, one

got a wife to add his list of “possessions,” one couple were live-in partners and

one had been divorced a few years ago, but they had got back together at the

time of the interview. In five girls, one or two got married at an early age out of

will which depicts that the media still has a lot of work to do towards

sensitization of the dangers of girl child marriages in practiced mostly in remote

northern settlements.

3.8 PRE-TEST OF INSTRUMENT

Initially, the purpose of the study was explained to the participants verbally. The

participants were then given the subject information sheet, which also explained

the purpose of the study. Confidentiality and anonymity were assured and they

were informed that they were not obliged to participate and that they could

withdraw from the study at any time without any negative consequences. They

were then asked to sign the consent form, after they had understood what had

been explained to them.

The participants kept the subject information sheets and brought back the

consent forms. Included in that information sheet were researcher’s contact

details and those of the Trauma clinic, Transwerk Memorial Institute (TMI),

Girl not bride initiative and the local media outlets, should they need further

debriefing due to possibilities of new occurrence of a forceful girl marriage.

Consent to tape recording was also obtained, and it was explained that the tapes

will be destroyed on completion of the study. Participants were informed that

the findings of the study would be kept in the library and that in the event of

publication, no names will be used. On transcribing the interviews, the

participants and other family members were each assigned letters that were

taken from the first letter of their first names and these were used when quoting

some sections of the interviews.

3.9 DATA ANALYSIS METHODS

Analysis of qualitative data involves interpretation and an attempt in

understanding the subjects’ world “…as they construct it” (Jones, 1985b, cited

in Hooper, 1992, p. 29). This is done through the process of organizing the data

from the transcripts or field notes in a way that would increase a researcher’s

understanding and also for better presentation of the findings (Bogdan &

Bicklen, 1982, cited in Carter, 1990). Mthembu (2000) refers to these notes and

transcripts as raw data that need to be converted into refined data for better

analysis by the researcher.

The researcher in this study transcribed the interviews from the tapes in the

language that was used and those that were conducted in other languages other

than English were translated into English. The transcripts were then read several

times and in the process the list of various themes that emerged was made. On

several occasions the researcher had to re-listen to the tapes whilst reading the

transcript so as to identify the participants’ feelings that came with certain

responses, for example, where the underage girl cried as she reflected on her

experience. The themes were then grouped according to their similarities, and

common or recurring themes were identified for the purpose of making sense of

them in relation to the theoretical framework created in the literature review.

The above procedure is in line with what authors like Marshall (1995, cited, in

Mthembu, 2000) and Neuman (2000) suggest about qualitative data analysis.
These authors indicate that in qualitative research the data is analyzed through

reading and re-reading of data notes, reflecting on what is read and organizing

those into similar themes and patterns.

3.9.1 CONCLUSION

This chapter focused on the methodology that was used in this study. An

explanation of qualitative research as a method for data collection and analysis

was given. Measures followed during the data collection were discussed in this

chapter and the information about the sample was provided.

CHAPTER 4

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of media towards early

child marriage, using Kabuwaya in Dala local government of Kano state a

sample population. This chapter deals with the presentation of analysis of data

collected through personal interview with concerned volunteers that made

themselves available for this research. Names of participants was agreed to be

kept confidential on request.

4.2 DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

With respect to this research, the demographic variable is one that is based on

gender mostly affected, sex, and culture as a determinant.

The socioeconomic information as expressed in this research has everything to

do with marriage rate, birth rate and more.

4.3 ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS

It is important, however, for the researcher to critically analyze a few research

questions concerning the success of the research. Below are a few important

interview questions analyzed after one-on-one conversations with the affected

girls, mothers of these girls with similar bitter experience, local media houses

on possible listing of roles and ways to effectively carry them out.

1. To what extent does the media cover in Kano State?

2. Are the people of Kabuwaya likely to access sensitive information regarding

early child marriage from the media?

3. What role does cultural beliefs play in countering the efforts of the media

towards sensitization on this subject matter?

4. To what extent does the media inform and educate the people of Kabuwaya

in Dala on the subject matter?

4. Are the people of Dala ward likely to get information about the dangers of

early child marriage through any other source apart from the media?

4.4 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

The data presented in this study were generated from the over 196 interviews

had, a few questionnaires sent out to the educated few, which was not returned,

one case of a contact who we could not interview because of language barrier,

which also gave us an insight as to what ways the media can effectively pass

information to the grass root regardless of language barrier.

DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

Table 1: Age Range

Responses Frequency Percentage

9 – 12 year 21 10.71

13 – 15 years 67 34.18

16 – 17 years 73 37.24

18 - 19 35 17.86

Total 196 100

Field Survey: 2021

The table 1. above show the frequency and percentage age range of the

respondents from the age range of 9 – 12 years constitute 21 respondents with

10.71%, 13 – 15 years constitute 67 respondents with 34.18%, 16 – 17 years

constitute 73 respondents with 37.24% and 18 - 19 constitute 35 respondents

with 17.84%.

Table 2: Sex of total respondents granted interview

Responses Frequency Percentage

Male 12 23.52

Female 184 76.48

TOTAL 196 100

Field Survey: 2021

The table 2 above show the frequency and percentage distribution of sex of

respondents who were directly interviewed which indicates that only 12

respondents are males with 23.52% which indicated their lack of interest for the

fight against early marriages suggesting that they are less concerned because

they are not directly affected, while 184 respondents are females with 76.48%.

Table 3: Marital Status respondents interviewed.

Responses Frequency Percentage

Married 59 30.20
Single 137 69.80

TOTAL 196 100

Field Survey: 2021

The table 3: above show the frequency and percentage distribution of the

marital status of the respondents which indicates that 137 of the female

respondents were married, with 69.80% while 59 respondents are males of same

age brackets with 30.20%. This table indicates that only the female children are

given out for marriage at young teenage age and often times, to older men.

Table 4: Number of media accessible in Dala and Kabuwaya environs.

Media frequency Percentage

Radio 85 44%
Television 18 12%
Social media 60 30%
Print media 33 14%
TOTAL 196 100
Field Survey: 2021

Table 4. above shows that 44% of the people Dala and Kabuwaya listen to

radio, only 12% watch Television, 30% use social media and just 14% read the
papers and magazines. This table help the media to know what channels are

most effective towards effective dissemination of information to the target

audience. children are given out for marriage at young teenage age and often

times, to older men.

Table 5: Age brackets of respondents that think girl child marriage is a

normal practice that does not need to be abolished.

Responses frequency Percentage

15-17 0 0%
18-20 0 0%
21-30 8 30%
40 above 188 70%
TOTAL 196 100
Field Survey: 2021

Table 4. above shows that the older members of the community who are

supposed to fight towards the eradication of girl child marriage think it is

culturally right. According to one of the respondents interviewed, girl child

marriage is a long term tradition that has become a way of life amongst the

people in the northern part of Nigeria, of which Kabuwaya in Dala kano state is

not an exception. Result of table Table 5 shows that the media alone cannot do

this work alone if the government does not work hand in hand towards proper

enforcement of existing laws against girl child marriage and as well pass new

laws to help the media curb this bad practice in Dala and every other hotspot of

this practice in Nigeria as a country.

4.5 DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS

This study discussed the effect of media on early child marriage. Critically,

from the enquiry results revealed that media has a great role to play towards the

fight against girl child marriage in this part of the world and in developing

African countries where this act is till practiced. This study also examined how

government should work hand in hand with the media towards effective law

making and funding for the media to create jingles, adverts and outreaches in

diverse forms so the people would understand and put a stop to girl child

marriage and allow this girls make their own choices at their own right time.
 CHAPTER 5

INTRODUCTION

The main objective of this study was to determine role of the media on early

child marriage. Qualitative exploratory research design was used for data

collection with direct interviews with victims of early child marriage, their

thoughts about the effect of the media towards this issue, the local media

themselves and what they can do better to increase the quality of information.

Following the analysis of data and discussion of findings, this chapter presents

the summary of findings, the conclusion and recommendation.

5.1. SUMMARY
This study discussed the role of the media on early child marriage. Critically,

from the enquiry results revealed that media has a great impact in the

sensitization of the general public towards this issue. This study also examined

how cultural belief systems pose a threat (table 5) towards sabotaging the work

of the media towards warning against this inhuman practice. From foregone

analysis; the media is said play a tremendous role towards early child marriage

in this part of the world and the entire developing African countries where early

child marriage is still in practice till present day.

5.2. CONCLUSION

The research concludes that the role of the media in Nigeria as a whole towards

early child marriage is a huge fight that should be of public concern. The

government should work hand-in-hand with media houses, provide funding for

jingles concerning this social topic in various languages across several media

outlets to reach the entire demographics and across several divide.

5.3. RECOMMENDATIONS

From the findings of the research work the following recommendation are

made:
- To ensure effectiveness in the enormous role of the media towards early child

marriage, there should be completely total autonomy, which will in turn ensure

a free and independent press.

- It is the researcher's opinion that the independence of the media can go a long

way to make things right and purposeful in the fight against early child marriage

in various parts of the globe by the media to the general public benefit.

- However, appointment of general manager should be based on merit, duties

and responsibilities should also be spelt out clearly and be adhered to strictly.

- Media workers and journalist should be encouraged or motivated through

giving adequate remuneration to boost their morals put in their best in their

undertaking.

- Journalist should be allowed to go for training to develop their skills and

potentials, and sometimes send abroad to gain exposure.

- Furthermore, to meet up with the challenging world, the right modern

equipment should be used and funds should be release to maintain this

equipment.

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