Bound to tradition, some families, communities and leader’s around the globe, hold steadfast to the practice of child marriage. One in seven girls in developing countries, with the exception of China, is married before their 15th birthday. The practice of child marriages is more prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, however child marriage continues in other parts of the world, including South America, Middle East and among the Roma populations of Europe.
Child marriage has once again entered the media spotlight, as international uproar has stirred over the marriage of an eight year-old Saudi girl to a sixty year-old man. The case has prompted Saudis ‘to regulate’ child brides , leaving the state to say it will now begin monitoring the practice of child marriages. The Saudi government stated that the Justice Ministry desired to end the “arbitrary” way in which children are married, however they left no idea as to how they plan to work towards an end to the practice.
Last month attention was brought to the difficulties in ending the practice of child marriages in Burkina Faso despite efforts by the government and NGO’s, as the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has given some $7 million dollars to the fight since 2002, however NGOs have stated that that in 5 of the country’s 13 regions, child marriages continue in spite of efforts. To increase efforts against the practice the UNFPA, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the governmental National Population Advisory Council launched a two-year $1.6 million peer education, job training and health services project to bolster girls’ overall security- both before and after marriage in February 2009 (Child brides fight child marriage).
Thus is an end to child marriage in sight? The end is undoubtedly not one we will see in the near future, however the end is a shadow in the horizon, which can be reached in time with increased efforts and sustainable initiatives. The battle to end the practice of child marriage across the global is long, however it is not an impossible battle if the international community and individual states step forward to ensure that the rights of children, especially girls, are ensured and protected. Gender discrimination must be put on the forefront of the agenda in order to see an end to the cycle of abuse and poverty, that continue to fuel child marriages. States must ensure that individual communities are adequately educated on the long-term effects of child marriage,and gender discrimination, and see that sustainable solutions are then put in place. Such solutions include; making a education a priority and ensuring girls have equal access, seeing families have alternatives to pay debts, and providing health education on HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
See previous posts for more on Child Marriage.
