Nigeria and Child Marriage Legal Issues and Prospect
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the legal issues concerning child marriage in Nigeria
- To ascertain the prospect of child marriage in Nigeria
- To ascertain the relationship between child marriage and educational status of the child
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Conceptual Clarification
Marriage has almost universally been defined as a social and legal union between men and women, although a few cultures have allowed people of the same sex to marry (Coontz 2005). Sociologist Max Weber defined marriage as a “stable sexual relationship” allowed and legitimized by the larger kin group and used to determine rules about property rights for children (R. Collins 1986:276). The majority of marriages are based on monogamy-a union between one woman and one man-but many societies also have allowed people to have more than one spouse, or polygamous marriages. The Talmud, which comprises Jewish religious law and customs, allows men to have as many as four wives. Whether monogamous or polygamous, marriage systems do not emerge in a vacuum but, like families, are social institutions that serve a purpose1 .Child marriage is defined as marriage of a child less than 18 years of age, is an ancient, worldwide custom. Other terms applied to child marriage include “early marriage” and “child brides.” Early marriage is vague and does not necessarily refer to children. Moreover, what is early for one person may be late for another. Child bride seems to glorify the process, implying a celebration and a bride who is happy to start a loving union with her spouse. But for the most part, girl brides do not know and may have never met their groom2 . Child marriage, also known as early marriage, is defined as “any marriage carried out below the age of 18 years, before the girl is physically, physiologically, and psychologically ready to shoulder the responsibilities of marriage and childbearing.”Child marriage, on the other hand, involves either one or both spouses being children and may take place with or without formal registration, and under civil, religious or customary laws3 .The term ‘early marriage’ refers to both formal marriages and informal unions in which a girl lives with a partner as if married before the age of eighteen (18yrs) years4 . It is also known as Child Marriage and it refers to any marriage carried out below the age of eighteen (18yrs) years before the girl is physically, physiologically and psychologically ready to shoulder the responsibilities of marriage and child bearing5 . Child marriage is a marriage of a child younger than eighteen (18yrs)6 . Early marriage or child marriage is defined as the marriage or union between two people in which one or both parties are younger than 18 years old (McIntyre, 2006; ICRW, 2005).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to Nigeria and child marriage legal issues and prospect
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source and Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain role of credit institutions on the profitability and operation of a small and medium scale business
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of child marriage in Nigeria
Summary
This study was on Nigeria and child marriage legal issues and prospect. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the legal issues concerning child marriage in Nigeria, to ascertain the prospect of child marriage in Nigeria, to ascertain the relationship between child marriage and educational status of the child. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 members of Nigeria law makers. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up members representing Akwa ibom state, members representing Nasarawa state, members representing Kogi state and members representing Abia state was used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Child marriage is a cross-cutting human rights issue affecting children’s and women’s rights to health, education, equality, non-discrimination, and to live free from violence and exploitation. It requires a holistic and comprehensive response by states working in collaboration and partnership with a range of stakeholders. Nigeria should address child marriage through a holistic child protection framework by adopting both legal and social approaches that focus on the education of the girl child. Promoting girls’ education must be recognized as an important strategy towards ending child marriage in Nigeria. Despite the pragmatic nature of this strategy, there is a need to overcome political bureaucracy and a lack of guidance on how to implement policies on girls’ education by the appropriate institutions. These institutions’ ability to implement such an integrated intervention with development initiatives (national and international) should prioritize this goal in order to be able to realize full effect of this strategy.
Recommendation
Promoting girls’ education must be recognized as an important strategy towards ending child marriage in Nigeria
REFERENCES
- Adebambo Adeyinka Veronica (2010): Cultural Influence on Child Marriage Focus on Northern Nigerians Resident in Ogun State, Nigeria, A Project Submitted to The Department of Home Science and Management (Child Development And Family Studies) College of Food Science and Human Ecology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
- Aduradola, A. M.: Child Marriage: Issues, Problems and Challenges, A Paper presented at a One Day Seminar organised by National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos on the 4th September (Unpublished).
- Alexandra Hervish and Charlotte Feldman-Jacobs (2011): Who Speaks for Me? Ending Child Marriage
- Alexandra Hervish and Charlotte Feldman-Jacobs, (2011): Who Speaks for Me? Ending Child Marriage
- Bem Angwe:Child Marriage in Nigeria; Issues, Problems and Challenges, A Paper presented at a One Day Seminar organised by National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos on the 4th September (Unpublished).
- Davis, A., Postles, C. and Rosa, G. (2013): A girl’s right to say no to marriage: Working to end child marriage and keep girls in school. Woking: Plan International.
- Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa: Child Marriage in Nigeria; Issues, Problems and Challenges,A Paper presented at a One Day Seminar organised by National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos on the 4th September (Unpublished).
- International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), (2011): Solutions to End Child Marriage, What the Evidence Shows International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Forum on Marriage and the Rights of Women and Girls,(IPPF): Ending child marriage , A guide for global policy action
- Nawal M. Nour: Health Consequences of Child Marriage in Africa OMCT in partnership with The Centre For Law Enforcement Education (2005): Rights of the Child in Nigeria, A Report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by Nigeria.