Child Marriage in Nigeria: Wedded to Poverty
UNICEF estimates that the world has about 650 million females who married under the age of 18. Poverty and underdevelopment enable this practice, and child marriage is more than twice as likely in rural areas and over three times more common in the poorest demographic. In this article from
YaleGlobal Online, Nonyelum Ujam of the
Central Bank of Nigeria argues that Nigeria’s constitution bans child marriages, and protects religious freedom. Nigeria’s ethnic populations apply both structural and cultural practices and traditions. Legal inconsistencies ensure these practices continue, limiting education, workforce participation and investment for women who marry young and for their children. A child’s inability to consent to a supposed lifelong journey has yet to be considered from a legal perspective.
https://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/child-marriage-nigeria-wedded-poverty
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