Group begins crackdown on child marriages in Nigeria
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A group, It’s Never Your Fault has launched a petition on Change.org seeking ban on child marriage in Nigeria “to stop a child from turning bride”.
It’s Never Your Fault, in the petition, argued that “a child’s body is sacred” and that “a child should be able to enjoy their childhood, to play and feel the sand”.
As at the moment of this publication, some 473,429 persons have signed the petition which is targetting up to 500,000 signatures.
The group stated in its supporting statement: “UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) defines gender equality as “a state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision making, and the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations, and needs regardless of gender.”
“In Nigeria, gender equality is something we need to work towards and there are institutionalized systems which aim to keep women subservient to men. One of such is the issue of child marriage.
“The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria presents contradicting stances on the issue. Section 23 of the 2003 Nigerian Child Right’s Act says, “a person under the age of 18 is incapable of contracting a valid marriage. If such a marriage does take place, it should be declared null and void and of no effect.”
“Contradicting that, is Section 29(4b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which says, “any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.”
“Due to the fact that this law is not clearly stated, many Nigerians have gotten away with marrying young girls at any age.
“This petition is calling on lawmakers in the Nigeria Senate and House of Representatives to amend this section and make the constitution clearer on child marriage in Nigeria.
It’s Never Your Fault, a non-profit group, therefore, wants the Federal Government of Nigeria to ban child marriage in all the 36 states across the country.
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It noted that according to UNICEF, Nigeria has the 11th highest percentage of child marriage in the world whereby a child as young as eleven can be married off leading to innumerable complications not only for the child but also for the economy as a whole.
UNICEF adds that a total of 44% of the female Nigerian population gets married off before their 18th birthday. That is 40 million people.
It also leads to a number of illnesses for girl children including Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), postpartum depression (PPD), Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), High blood pressure (HBP), also called hypertension, et al.
The petitioners enjoined all concerned citizens to sign the petition in an effort ban child marriage in Nigeria, make the constitution clearer, and ensure that the law is enforced all over the country. Read more.
