Governmental authorities and global organizations such as UNICEF have set a specified legal marriageable age. Usually, this age bracket lies within what is referred to as the age of sexual consent (in many countries, eighteen-year-old citizens are considered to be ready for marriage). Although various societies have their own perceptions about the correct age for marriage, there is no doubt that marriages involving persons below the age of eighteen are illegal and unethical. Although majority of jurisdictions concur on this age limit for marriages, some countries in the world turn a blind eye to the predicament faced by young girls who get into marriage. Interestingly (or rather, unfortunately), many of those marital unions are officiated with the consent of parents; who are supposed to stand up against child brides.
As a result, many girls are denied the opportunity to go on with their studies. In countries where child brides are rampant, the culture usually supersedes state or federal law. There is no doubt that child marriages are in gross violation of children's rights (Mulchandani, 2015). So, why are child marriages rampant at this age in time? Why is it so hard for parents to stand up for their young girls? Why does it appear that the hands of governmental authorities are totally tied when it comes to this sensitive issue? Such questions are tough to ponder. With a case study of one of the countries where child brides are common-South Sudan, the essay will formulate various arguments and counter-arguments on the issue.
Thesis Statement: Child marriages or brides present detrimental effects to the society and the future of a young, promising generation.
There is a need for all stakeholders to work together in the eradication of this harmful practice without blame game.
Child Marriages - Focus on South Sudan
It is estimated that one in every five girls across the globe have/will be married before attaining the age of eighteen. Shockingly, that means that about 650 million in the world today were married as children. The table below illustrates the top countries in terms of child marriages;
Country
Prevalence of child marriages
Niger
76%
The central African Republic
68%
Chad
67%
Bangladesh
59%
Burkina Faso
52%
Mali
52%
South Sudan
52%
Guinea
51%
Mozambique
48%
Somalia
45%
From the table above, South Sudan is the 7th country in terms of child marriage rates. Despite being the youngest nation in the world (with a promising future at least at her inception), South Sudan leaves many questions unanswered. The daily lives of South Sudanese women and girls are filled with agony, obstacles, and hardships as a result of high illiteracy levels, skyrocketing poverty levels and evident gender gaps when it comes to education. We can, therefore, argue that such factors contribute significantly to the high rates of child marriages in the country.
Additionally, the country is ranked first in the maternal mortality rate index (approximately 2,054 deaths per 100,000 births). Approximately, 50% of girls in South Sudan aged between fifteen and nineteen are in marital unions- in most cases approved by their parents. Many societies in the country perceive child marriage as an opportunity to provide the family with much need resources in the form of dowry- gifts, money, and cattle. Such a notion is by no means justifiable; unless one argues within the confines of poverty and backward cultural traditions practiced in the country. As a society, we cannot move forward if we use such reasons to justify the torture we have to let our girls through without proper regard for their well-being (Canavera, Lanning, Polin & Stark, 2016).
Many parents in South Sudan subscribe to child brides as an 'escape route' from unwanted pregnancies and premarital sexual relations since they bring dishonor to the family thereby reducing significantly the dowry amount set to be received by the family upon decent marriage. Although, in the context of the country, many people have succumbed to the belief and it yields results; we should note that child brides are at high risk of sexual related problems and pregnancy complications; which in some cases may be far much worse than if the girls we allowed to proceed with their education. Due to immense influence that emanates from cultural traditions in South Sudan, a majority of young girls have also subscribed to the idea that early marriages can aid in helping them out of violence and poverty back at home. Therefore there is a dire need for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the government and local communities to work together in a bid to educate young girls on their rights; which are violated through being child brides. Although many investigative studies have mainly focused on physical effects of child marriages on the bodies of girls and women, there is need to shift towards the core issue of affected people's knowledge on their human rights. Such rights are basic and include; education, health, physical integrity. Girls and women in the country should also know that they have the final say on whom and when they intend to marry (Rai, Ramadhan & Tulchinsky, 2014).
The government of South Sudan has taken various steps in tackling child marriages in the country; some of which can be lauded. For instance, the country's constitution guarantees each girl and women the right to consent when it comes to matters pertaining to marriage. The abduction or kidnapping of girls with intent to compel them into marrying someone against their will is criminal; based on the country's constitution. The Child Act of 2008 also addresses key issues regarding forced and early marriages. With such laws, one of would expect the country to make significant strides in ensuring that early/forced marriages are a thing of the past. Clearly, the country faces an uphill task when it comes to enforcing the regulations. South Sudan, just like other countries grappling with the same challenge has a problem with enforcing available laws and locking up culprits for good. State departments and ministries tasked with the responsibility of protecting young girls from early marriages are reluctant in implementing policies and framework to curb rising cases of child marriages in the country. The justice system in South Sudan is characterized by a poor framework which makes it possible for corruption and social injustice to thrive. Additionally, we should note that the country's Penal Code and Transitional Constitution has legal gaps or technicalities through which culprits are set to walk scot free even in the presence of massive evidence (Canavera, Lanning, Polin & Stark, 2016).
In South Sudan, it is a norm to find twelve-year-old girls getting married to thirty-year-old men; and the society has evolved enough to tolerate such cases. In a majority of such marriages, there are cases of domestic violence and other forms of physical abuse towards young women and girls. When girl brides get pregnant, there are high chances of complications when pregnant, during or after birth. In fact, in some cases, some girls lose their lives if postnatal care is not within their means. Biologically, emotionally and physically, the bodies of child brides are not ready for childbearing. Long before South Sudan entered into a civil war, more than half of girls in the country got married before they attained the age of eighteen years. From the sad state of affairs in the country, there is a need for young girls to join campaigns against child marriages and sexual violence against women. Surprisingly, only a small number (35%) of South Sudanese girls have access to education. When we watch as families take their girls out of school and give them up to the crude hand of early marriages, then as a society we are bound to fail in almost all aspects of our political, social and economic systems. Such families perceive that they no longer have the burden of feeding the young girl who has been married (Durçut & Kısa, 2018).
As previously noted, the country has the highest prevalence of maternal deaths in the world. Such a scenario means that a girl born in South Sudan is three times more likely to perish during childbirth in relation to their probability to clear high school. One of the main causes of maternal mortality in the country is obstructed labor; a common occurrence in the nation. In some instances, some young girls go into labor for more than forty-eight hours; even on arrival at medical facilities, the offspring is already dead. One of the main effects of giving birth at a young age when one is young is a medical condition called fistula. Since the bodies of young girls are not ready for the birth process, there is likelihood for the baby to be stuck for a long period; therefore a gap occurs between the rectum/bladder and the vagina. Although corrective surgery is a perfect remedy for the problem, the state of healthcare in South Sudan has a long way to go; in fact, some areas are remote and during periods of unrest it becomes hard to help young girls in need. Given all the negative effects of child marriages and the detrimental impact they pose on every sphere of human life, there is a need to end them (Dethloff, 2018).
Conclusion
Child marriages are still common in various parts of the world despite the efforts of different stakeholders to address the menace. The practice of turning young girls into child brides is enshrined under the traditions of various cultural settings in nations located in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world. Although governments formulate a necessary legal framework to address the challenges facing young girls and their basic rights, the customs that have been practiced by communities for many years pose more authority than state laws. The health effects of early marriages can never be over-emphasized. In South Sudan, many girls drop out of school or they are even pulled out of the school system by their parents to become child brides. There is a need to make girls aware; not only in South Sudan but also in other countries where the practice is rife, that they own their bodies and will to decide the right time to get married.
References
Canavera, M., Lanning, K., Polin, K., " Stark, L. (2016). ‘And then they left’: Challenges to child protection systems strengthening in South Sudan. Children " Society, 30(5), 356-368. doi: 10.1111/chso.12172
Dethloff, N. (2018). Child Brides on The Move: Legal Responses to Culture Clashes. International Journal Of Law, Policy And The Family, 5(3), 7. doi: 10.1093/lawfam/eby008
Durğut, S., " Kısa, S. (2018). Predictors of marital adjustment among child brides. Archives Of Psychiatric Nursing, 32(5), 670-676. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2018.03.006
Mulchandani, L. (2015). Research on Child Marriages Facts, Causes " Consequences. Paripex - Indian Journal Of Research, 3(3), 72-73. doi: 10.15373/22501991/mar2014/77
Rai, R., Ramadhan, A., " Tulchinsky, T. (2014). Prioritizing Maternal and Child Health in Independent South Sudan. Maternal And Child Health Journal, 16(6), 1139-1142. doi: 10.1007/s10995-011-0886-6
