Child Marriage in Nigeria: The Enforceability of Age Limit
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lead City University
Abstract
Child marriage is a social ill that has been on the front burner of public discourse in Nigeria for some time. Child marriage may be defined as any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of eighteen (18) and an adult. Despite the fact that child marriage and betrothal are prohibited by National Legislation, the Childs' Right Act 2003, the socio-cultural practice and religious backing of the issue in some sections of Nigeria makes it a necessary evil which shamefully continues to stare us in the face. Early marriage of girls below the age of 18 is still widely practiced in Nigeria. 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 and in other human rights instruments. Nigeria ranks 13th among the 20 countries with the highest rate of girl child marriages with approximately 3 million child marriages, 17% married before they turn 15 and 43% married before they reach the age of 18. When considered, these are seriously disturbing figures. The Nigerian Legislature came up with the Child Rights Act of 2003 to define the rights of the child and to curtail the menace of child abuse, violence and marriage in Nigeria but 20 years on, the issue of child marriage is still embedded in the fabrics of the Nigerian moral system. This research will critically examine the psychological, financial, physical and moral impacts the practice of child marriage has on the victim and the family/society at large, in doing so, a library-based research methodology will be employed, whilst making use of primary and secondary sources, which will include: The CRA, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, (VAPP), 1999 CFRN amongst others.
Keywords: child marriage, violence against women, marriageable age
Word Count: 304
Description
Keywords
child marriage, violence against women, marriageable age
Citation
Kate Turabian