What is lost when many do nothing?
The Facts
In Niger, every 3 in 4 girls are married before their 18th birthday, while every one in three girls are married before their 15th birthday (Girls Not Brides 2014). The rate of early and forced marriage exceeds 70%. This means that the rates of maternal mortality and adolescent fertility are also very high.
The legal age for marriage in Niger is 18 for males, but strangely only 15 for females (Plan 2014). Child marriage is in direct violation of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that marriage should be 'entered only with the full and free consent of the intending spouses.' (United Nations 1948, article 16). It is not considered 'free and full' if the child is less than 18 years old.
The legal age for marriage in Niger is 18 for males, but strangely only 15 for females (Plan 2014). Child marriage is in direct violation of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that marriage should be 'entered only with the full and free consent of the intending spouses.' (United Nations 1948, article 16). It is not considered 'free and full' if the child is less than 18 years old.
Who is involved?
The victims of child marriage are classified by the Equality Rights Alliance as "young people under 18 who are forced into marriage by psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional pressure and abuse." (Equality Rights Alliance 2013)
The bystanders are the people who stand by and watch; who do nothing to help. In this case, they are the people in the wider communities of Niger, who are aware of child marriages as they are so common, but do not actively try to prevent them from happening.
On the other hand, the perpetrators involved in child marriage are more often than not the individuals responsible for the care and supervision of the children- their families, who might feel they have to marry their daughters off for any number of reasons. The future spouses themselves may often arrange the marriages, even though they are, in most cases, many years older than the children they have chosen to marry. These perpetrators may take part in child marriage for a variety of causes, listed below.
The bystanders are the people who stand by and watch; who do nothing to help. In this case, they are the people in the wider communities of Niger, who are aware of child marriages as they are so common, but do not actively try to prevent them from happening.
On the other hand, the perpetrators involved in child marriage are more often than not the individuals responsible for the care and supervision of the children- their families, who might feel they have to marry their daughters off for any number of reasons. The future spouses themselves may often arrange the marriages, even though they are, in most cases, many years older than the children they have chosen to marry. These perpetrators may take part in child marriage for a variety of causes, listed below.
The Causes
There are many causes of child marriage. They can be very different from person to person. However, according to the International Center for Research on Women 2010, the four main causes of child marriage are:
1. Poverty- the marrying off of a child means one less person to care for. In many situations, child marriage means the difference between the health and starvation of the whole family, especially when the groom or his family is willing to pay a price for the bride.
2. Little education- in countries like Niger, a girl with little or no education is more likely to be married at a younger age. A girl isn't as likely to be married during childhood if she has higher levels of schooling. This is difficult in a country where educating girls is not as important to the parents as educating boys.
3. Insecurity in conflict- families often believe that marrying a daughter off will protect her from harm if they live in dangerous regions. They honestly believe that this will guarantee the whole family a safer and steadier future.
4. Tradition- many parents are influenced to believe that to marry off their daughter is to protect her purity before marriage. Early and forced marriage is often a sure route to forming family, tribal and clan connections, living up to social expectations and settling commitments.
The Consequences
Child marriage drives its victims into ongoing circle of poverty and powerlessness. The main consequences it has on a child bride are:
- Physical, emotional and sexual violence or abuse
- Increased rates of premature pregnancy, maternal mortality and infant mortality
- Mental and physical health problems. Many girls experience childbirth-related injuries such as fistulas, because their bodies are not mature enough to cope with pregnancy and labour.
- Illiteracy and a lack of education
- HIV/AIDS
- Deprivation of childhood, lack of opportunities in the future
- Loss of confidence; dependence on one person for every need.