With a population of over 200 million, Nigeria has one of the most increased majority issues of early girl-child marriage in the globe. According to UNICEF, Nigeria has the highest amount of child brides in Africa with a shocking 23 million girls and women given out in marriage before reaching the age of 18.
Early girl child marriage is a tradition whereby girls under the age of 18 are compelled into marriage with older men, sometimes even two or three times their age. This tradition is typical in rural areas where deprivation, illiterateness, and conventional traditions keep the practice alive. In most cases, these girls are refused access to education, medical care, and basic human rights.
One of the pressing causes for early girl-child marriage in Nigeria is poverty. Parents who are incapable to provide for their daughters often see early marriage as a way out of poverty. In most situations, the girl child is seen as load and early marriage is seen as a way of getting rid of such load.
Another element that fuels the tradition of early girl-child marriage is culture and tradition. Many Nigerian communities see early marriage as an important part of their culture and families who contradict the tradition are at the verge of being excluded.
The effects of early girl-child marriage are tremendous. These girls are often put through domestic brutality, sexual abuse, and coerced labour. They are restricted from completing their education, which restricts their future opportunities and prospect.
The Nigerian government has taken some measures to handle the matter of early girl child marriage, including the Child Rights Act, which puts the minimum age of marriage for girls at 18 years, However, the execution of these policies remain a problem, especially in uncivilized areas where traditional customs and perspectives are extremely ingrained.
Because of this, it is compulsory that the government, civil societies, associations and public groups work together to stop early girl-child marriage in Nigeria. Providing education and monetary opportunities to girls and ensuring that they have access to basic human rights will go a long way in halting the process of poverty and ending the tradition of child marriage.
In conclusion, early girl child marriage is a breach of the human rights of girls and women. It is only when we give young girls opportunities to education, healthcare, and basic human rights can we expect to curb this evil and give them the instruments they need to reach their full potential.
