AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT CHILD MARRIAGE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Marriage at the right time, with the right person is one of the best things that can happen to a human. However, as glamorous as marriage should be, marriage has been turned sour for child brides, as most of them are forced into marriage in their mid teens, thereby aborting beautiful achievable life goals and future ambitions. In Nigeria today, marriage has been abused, as young girls have been married off to older men, using religious belief as a reason for this; that they are mature and it promotes chastity.Thesegirls are married off as early as the age of nine earlymarriage introduces these girls into a life of torment as most of them suffer from Vesico-vaginal fistula due to pregnancy at a young age. This study also examines the views of various authors on the subject matters while discussing VVF causes and effects. This study also examines link of child marriage in northern Nigeria and the effect on how this child marriage affects the girl's maternal health. Also it examines the controversy surrounding the legality of child marriage conducted in Nigeria. Child marriage is still prevalent in Nigeria despite the provisions of international and domestic legal instruments outlawing child marriage. It is observed that child marriage in this community is predicated on an Islamic jurisprudence. This study further gives the rationale behind the ineffectiveness and loopholes of laws protecting children from early marriage in Nigeria. The research concludes that apart from physical consequences of leaking urine without control, victims of VVF also suffer emotional and social consequences and recommends the domestication and enforcement of the Child Rights Act and all other legislations against child marriage.

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urn:uuid:e42d9d00-365e-4b8b-8f18-6432943e63d2