Preventing child marriages: first international day of the girl child “my life, my right, end child marriage”

Abstract

On 17 November 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/66/170) designating 11 October as the first International Day of the Girl Child choosing ending child marriages as the theme of the day. Child marriage is a fundamental human rights violation and impacts all aspects of a girl’s life. These marriages deny a girl of her childhood, disrupts her education, limits her opportunities, increases her risk of violence and abuse, and jeopardizes her health. The article presents data about the prevalence and effects, contributing factors and recommends action for prevention.

Early marriage, adolescent motherhood, and reproductive rights for young Sasak mothers in Lombok

“…A primary focus of this initiative is the abolition of child marriage, which is defined as a formal marriage or informal union before the age of 18. This global movement explicitly recognizes child marriage as a human rights violation that impacts widely on girls' and young women's lives (Svanemyr et al 2012). While there is now widespread recognition that early marriage and motherhood are inextricably interconnected with the neglect of young women's human rights, there is relatively little published work examining how the neglect of human rights relates to the determinants, impact and experiences of adolescent marriage in specific communities.…”

“…Participation in education for girls and boys in Lombok is equal in primary school, it then declines for girls during junior high, and drops markedly again for girls in senior high (Bennett and Andajani-Sutjahjo 2007). Research in developing communities across the world has shown that higher levels of formal education for girl children delays both the age of marriage and the age at which women have their first child (Svanemyr et al 2012). Schools in Lombok do not enrol married or pregnant women, despite a national policy that allows pregnant women to attend school.…”

The cycle of poverty and early marriage among women in Ghana (A case study of Kassena-Nankana).

“…The main problem that centers on early marriage, however, is focused on economical or financial status. This is the reason why the practices of early marriage are common in many rural developing societies in Asia and Africa (Svanemyr et al, 2012).…”

“…Approximately 10 million child marriages occur every year. Globally, nearly 1 in 3 girls are married before they turn 18 years and 1 in 7 are married before the age o f 15 (Svanemyr, Chandra-Mouli, Christiansen & Mbizvo, 2012).…”

“…Higher education pushes marriage ahead and the bride price offered for older girls might be lower than that for younger girls whose virginity is ensured. A bride price is raised when a girl is young based on the higher value that is placed on her reproductive capacities, virginity, and productive labor (Svanemyr et al, 2012;Otoo-Oyortey & Pobi, 2003). …”