Ending child marriage in Africa : a multi-disciplinary perspective

Abstract

Background: This study was to address the phenomenon of child marriage in Africa and particular in sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa was the target of the research, due to the high rate of the practice of child marriage in the world. This means that, 39 % of women aged 20-24 that were married before their 18 birthday live in the sub-Saharan Africa. The issue of child marriage is the concern of both boys and girls in Africa but in most case, girls are the most affected in that practice. This practice is a serious violation of human rights of boys and especially girls in that; it barred the girls rights to education, equality and development. Another chocking phenomenon is that, child marriage has a negative effect on the life of girls in that, it have harmful effect on the health of girls. Method: The desktop research: collect of information on line on internet. Results: The causes of child marriage in Africa are many, including: gender inequality against girls, poverty in families and insecurity and conflict. Strategies or interventions to overcome child marriage are as follows: the empowerment of girls through education; mobilize family and community to not prefer to married girls; help poor families to support their girls in school with conditional economic support. Conclusion: The study recommends programmes (for example of the Berhane Hewan) must be developed in order to ensure that, law is implemented. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) developed model law to combat the phenomenon of child marriage.