The concept of “child marriage” is a misleading justification of child abuse. Why do we call this harmful practice a marriage? By definition, a marriage according to Mani Shankar is a commitment between two adults with a primary purpose of leading a happy, peaceful and prosperous life amidst all the problems that may come up.
It is driven by mutual respect for each other, value for one’s views, debates, discussions, arguments and even disagreements but it is never meant to abuse each other, or take advantage of the weaker party or compromise his or her self-respect. It is a formal union and social and legal contract between two individuals that unites their lives legally, economically, and emotionally on an equal footing. A true marriage offers a partnership where the couple share parental responsibility, financial contributions, social responsibilities and they carry their life’s demands together.
Can we say the same about the so called “child marriage”? Are there any similarities or common elements? And once again why do we call it a marriage because it promotes unequal distribution of power which reduces girls to nothing but sexual objects. This is a cross violation of human rights, notably children’s rights which further prevents girls from enjoying their childhood, accessing education, fulfilling the sexual reproductive health and rights, experimenting with their peers, and choosing their own life partners. Above all, the so called “child marriage” increases the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, cervical cancer, malaria, death during childbirth, and obstetric fistulas for girls. This results in increased risk for premature birth and death as neonates, infants, or children. This practice is bad for the socio – economic development of our continent, we cannot condemn or tolerate child abuse under the pretense of child marriage. Girls are the future of Africa, thus it’s about time we uproot this misleading justification of child abuse, we call child marriage.
Each year, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18, which translates as Girls Not Brides put it to 23 girls every minute. This is a shocking and depressing harsh reality which calls for urgent collective and practical action. It is time we change the narrative for our precious girls by nullifying the concept of “Child marriage” and declare it as a form of child abuse which is punishable by law. I can’t imagine any form of commemorating the International Day of a Girl Child than this. This will surely contribute towards the promotion of their empowerment and fulfilment of their human rights. I therefore, call upon all the child rights actors, politicians, leaders and everyone to join hands in nullifying this monster packaged in the form of a marriage for the sake of the future of our continent. The realisation of a girl’s fullest potential will never be realised if we do not take a step back and revisit this abuse to children.
It feels very ironic that when it is time to vote we consider them children, yet we still marry them before they reach the age of maturity. Fellow African brothers, we have done so much damage to ourselves and to the future of our beautiful continent; it is time we become part of the solution.
Join me in declaring that “It is not child marriage – it is child abuse!” and it has to stop now!
Read more on our Children’s Rights Programme here
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.