CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF CHILD MARRIAGE:

CASE OF SOMALIA

Submitted by

ABDIRAHMAN IBRAHIM NOR

Student ID No.: 125 191 003
Master in Development Studies (MDS) program
School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UIU

SUMMER, 2020

Submitted to:

Professor Dr. Hamidul Huq

Director, Institute of Development Studies and Sustainability (IDSS),
And
Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UIU

UNITED INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

United City, Madani Avenue, Badda, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh

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 APPROVAL

Thesis titled Causes and Consequences of Child Marriage: a case of Jubaland, Kismayo,
Somalia, submitted by Abdirahman Ibrahim Nor bearing student ID no. 125 191 003 has been
accepted as satisfactory for the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in
Development Studies of School of Humanities and Social Science at United International
University and approved as to its style and contents.

Hamidul Huq, PhD, WUR

Professor and Director
Institute of Development Studies and Sustainability (IDSS),
And
Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UIU

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 Declaration

I am here by declaring that this research project has been done by me under the supervision of
Dr. Hamidul Huq, Professor and Director of Institute of Development Studies and
Sustainability (IDSS), and Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UIU.
I do also declare that neither this thesis nor any part of this thesis report has been submitted
elsewhere for award of any degree.

ABDIRAHMAN IBRAHIM NOR

Student ID No.: 125 191 003
Master in Development Studies (MDS) program
School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UIU
Date:

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 AKNOWLEDGEMENT

First I thank Almighty Allah. I would like to express my gratefulness to my Thesis Supervisor
our honorable sir Professor Dr. Hamidul Huq, Director, Institute of Development Studies and
Sustainability (IDSS), and Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UIU for his
continuous support, advice and guidance in conducting my thesis work.
I am very much thankful to my sister (pl. put her name here) for her great role in data collection.

Many thanks to all those who participated in this study and extended their sincere cooperation in
making this project a success.

ABDIRAHMAN IBRAHIM NOR

Student ID No.: 125 191 003
Master in Development Studies (MDS) program
School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UIU
Date:

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 DEDICATION

I dedicated this project to My Mother Dakan Ahmed Nur, My Sister Naima Ibrahim Nor,
My Elder Brother Hassan Ibrahim Nor, for their contribution to my education and for their
encouragement.

ABDIRAHMAN IBRAHIM NOR

Student ID No.: 125 191 003
Master in Development Studies (MDS) program
School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UIU
Date:

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 Abstract

This study set out to explore the causes and consequences of child marriage in Kismayo,
Jubaland, Somalia. The objectives were to investigate and determine the causes and
consequences of early marriage in Kismayo-Somalia. The study guided by radical feminist
theory which analyses patriarchy as the cause of women’s oppression and this in turn hinders
them from participating in educational activities equal to them.

Data were collected through questionnaire and interview. The study found that girls got married
at an early age due to parent’s pressure and end up marrying early because of not having ability
to refuse parents decision. The study, therefore, concludes that early marriage exists and it
affects the girl- child education in Kismayo, Somalia.

The study recommends that the law prohibiting early marriage be enforced. Finally, it
recommends parents mindset regarding early marriage should be changed so that girls don.t get
married early and get chance to study instead.

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 Table of Contents

Approval ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
Declaration .................................................................................................................................... 3
Acknowledgement.......................................................................................................... 4
Dedication .................................................................................................................................................... 5
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... 7
Background .............................................................................................................................................. 1-9
1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 9
1.2 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................................12
1.3 Illustration ...............................................................................................................................13
1.4 Scope & Limitation ..................................................................................................................13
1.5 Objectives ...............................................................................................................................13
1.6 Research Questions ..................................................................................................................14
1.7 Significant of the Study ..........................................................................................................14
1.8 Conceptual Framework ...........................................................................................................15
1.9 Methodology ...........................................................................................................................17
Literature Review ................................................................................................................................ 18-23
2.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................18
2.2 Concept of early Marriage ......................................................................................................18
2.3 Reasons for early Marriage in Africa.......................................................................................20
2.3.1 Economic Survival Strategies ` .............................................................................................20
2.3.2 Socio Cultural and religion values ........................................................................................21
2.3.3 Values of Virginity & Protection of Child Girls ...................................................................21
2.4 International Instruments on early Marriage...........................................................................22
Research Methodology ....................................................................................................................................23-27
3.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................25

3.2 Research Design ......................................................................................................................25

3.3 Target Population ....................................................................................................................25

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3.4 Sampling Method ....................................................................................................................26

3.5 Sample Size..............................................................................................................................26

3.6 Method of Data collection .......................................................................................................26

3.7 Data Analysis Method .............................................................................................................26

3.8 Validate Method ......................................................................................................................27

3.9 Ethical Consideration ..............................................................................................................27

3.10 Limitation of the study ..........................................................................................................27

Data Analysis &Presentation ................................................................................................ 28-35

4.1 Background of the respondents ................................................................................................28

4.2 Employment Status ..................................................................................................................32

4.3 Decision for Early Marriage ..........................................................................................................33

4.4 Causes for Early Marriage .......................................................................................................33

4.5 Impact of early Marriage .........................................................................................................35

Conclusion and recommendation ......................................................................................... 36-37

5.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................36

5.2 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................................32

5.3 Recommendations ....................................................................................................................36

References ................................................................................................................................ 38-43

Questionnaire ........................................................................................................................... 44-45

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BACKGROUND

Child Marriage is mostly occurred in agreement between the two families for below 18 years age
children. It occurs among the school going girl children but with adult man. Child Marriage is
also known as Early Marriage and it’s also defined as any agreed between two persons and one
of them (girl) is under the age of 18 years.

The universal declaration convention of the rights on the child states that person whose age is
under the age of eighteen years is considered as a child (Lee, 2001).

Many young children get early marriage in many parts of the universe and this also causing by
their parents for the interests and get some benefits. Marriage before the age of 18 years is a
reality for many young women in many parts of the world. Parents encourage the marriage of
their daughters while still they are children in hopes that the marriage will benefit them both
financially and socially, while also relieving financial burdens on the family.

The child marriage is a violation of human rights compromising the development of girls and
often resulting in early pregnancy and social isolation with little education and poor life skills
and vocational training enforce the gendered nature of poverty (Alemu, 2008). Child marriage is
happened before the girl is not fully ready to manage the duties and responsibilities of marriage,
in most cases girls deal with many issues and finally decide to do a suicide.

The rights to free and full consent to a marriage is recognized in the universal declaration of
human rights with the recognition that consent cannot be free and full when one of the parties
involved is not sufficiently mature to make an informed decision about a life of partner. The
convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against woman and child girl
mentions the rights of protection from Child Marriage in article 16, which states the betrothal
and the marriage of a Child shall have no legal affect and all necessary action including
legislation shall be taken to specify a minimum age for a marriage while marriage is not
considered directly in the convention on the rights of the child. Child Marriage is linked to other
rights such as the rights to express their views freely, the rights to protect from all forms of
abuse, and the rights to protect from harmful traditional practices and is frequently addressed by
the committee on the rights of the child. According to one study, child marriage is destruction of
the Child’s future so that he or she will be more difficult to meet these rights such as Health
Consequences, Education, Gender equality and the rights that can generate to meet a better future
also free from a violation and unhappiness (Obeng, 2002).

So far, 700 million girl children got married in early age of their life. Approximately 250 million
out of them had not any idea about marriage because they had not reached the age of 15. Every
year, about 15-17 years age groups were in child marriage or early marriage. This number
estimated about 2.1 per cent of the whole population in the USA while girls whose age is

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between 15-19 were in an unregistered marriage (UN, 2010). In UK more than 4 percent under
adult age girls have children (Sharon and Lewis, 2005).

In Asian countries, like Indonesia, child marriage is very popular and 22 per cent Indonesian
girls experienced early marriage and about 12 per cent of girl child get married before the age of
15 years (UNFPA). Other Asian countries like Bangladesh & Afghanistan are practicing child
marriage where 50 per cent of the young girl children are married under the age of 18 years. Sub-
Saharan Africa and South Asia both of them are leaders of child marriage in this area (Singh and
Samara, 1996).

Child Marriage was also identified by the Pan-African Forum against the Sexual exploitation of
Children is as a type of Commercial. Although, according to the Kenyan law child marriage is
strictly forbidden in Kenya but child marriage is happening in its rural areas, child marriage
mostly victimized the girls compared to the boys. Around 43% of young girls are married below
the age of 18 years compared to boys that have got 11.6%. Reality is that the rate of victim by
child marriage is about 34% girl and 1.4% boys. It shows, girls have higher rate than boys. This
proportion is difference the national prevalence rate (Plan International, 2011). Generally around
25 per cent is mentioned but some province or region has higher percentage in Kenya (Ochieng
& Erulkar, 2008).

Marrying someone whose age is under 18 years is not allowed in Kenya’s law of marriage
declaration which stated that no one should marry any girl whose age is less than eighteen years.
Those who commit and cross the line will be punished. Practice of child marriage is extremely
popular in Kenya such as in Kalifi has 47.4 per cent, Homa 38 per cent, Kwale at 37.9 per cent
and last one Tharaka 25 per cent (Plan International, 2011). Many Kenyan girls or families have
different issues that generate to admit early age marriage, the biggest driver is poverty where
poor families use their girls to get some benefits, somehow they can survive also they can
manage their economic burden so that her family get a good backup financially & socially
(ICRW, 2007). This strategy is common in Africa and African parents tell their children
especially girls to marry in early age for the reason of money (UNICEF, 2001).

The Federal Republic of Somalia is a sovereign country that located at the Horn of Africa. Its
bordered by Ethiopia on the west, Djibouti on North-west, the Golf of Aden to the North, the
Guardafui channel and Somali Sea to east and Kenya to the South-West border. Its Capital City
is Mogadisho. Somalia Population is 14.74 million in 2017. Currency is known Somali Shillings
and United States Dollar. Language is Somali and Modern standard Arabic.

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 Map of Africa Map of Somalia

In Somalia and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, child marriage is a severe issue for the
past 10 years. Unfortunately, child marriage is a very regional problem in Somalia. The survey of
the cases show that the main challenges are the low level of public awareness especially in
Kismayo City rural areas In Jubbaland state of Somalia.

Consequences of early marriage include Dropout from School, Divorce, Fistula, ill health is very
common as a whole in Somalia, especially in Kismayo district of Jubbaland state, as well as its
sub-districts. However the situation of Child marriage in Kismayo, Somalia mainly based on
Clans Members relationships and popular where parents and families and relatives play a vital
role to this marriage of young girl to their close relative boy and the purpose is not to get wealth
but to protect the dignity is much valuable than earning some benefits from her family. Parents
fearing if their daughters remain at home might happen to commit horrible actions and get
pregnancy which is unlawful in both Islamic religion and Somali tradition and culture. So that if
parents want to not happen like this way they encourage young girls to marry early and when

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young girls marry other young boy whose from another Clan member can build strong
relationship between them. According to the School teachers and politicians, Somali girls fail to
attend tertiary education. One of the key factors is early marriage and in rural areas practice of
child marriage is popular in the nomadic communities in the villages of Jubbaland state of
Somalia, where the girl’s family get about 10-20 camels for benefits. However, there is need for
an empirical study which investigates this problem in depth to know more about the causes and
consequences of child marriage in Somalia and lastly come up with solutions that mitigates this
violation.

Problem Statement

Early married girls are a unique group, though often invisible, required to perform heavy
amounts of domestic work, under pressure to demonstrate fertility, and responsible for raising
children while still children themselves. Married girls and child mothers face constrained
decision- making and reduced life choices. Boys are also affected by child marriage but the issue
impacts girls in far larger numbers and with more intensity (UNICEF, 2015).

Throughout the developing world, millions of girls are married while they are still children. The
practice of child marriage spans diverse of cultures and each child bride has her own unique
story. Yet those who have suffered its indignities share a common thread that transcends
circumstances, cultures, countries and continents (ACRC, 2016).

In Sub-Saharan Africa, about one in four girls marry before age of 18 years. Statistics show that
African Nations account for 17 of 20 countries with the highest rates of child marriage globally.
For example, according to UNICEF data, 76 per cent of girls in Niger and close to 70 per cent
girls in Central Africa Republic and Chad Marry before they turn 18. In Malawi, one in every
two girls marries before the age of 18. It’s encouraging that African leaders have put child
marriage high on their agenda. This week, at the conclusion of the 28th African Union Summit in
Addis-Ababa- Ethiopia, leaders held a high level meeting on an AU campaign to end child
marriage. In Somalia, early marriage is a common practice mainly in the nomadic communities
who have settle in rural areas which far away from cities where families of the groomed offers
about 10-25 camels to the family members of the bride and in Kismayo in Jubbaland state its
where about this is not an exception.

Young married girls are a unique required to perform heavy amounts of workload/domestics task
under pressure to demonstrate fertility and responsible for raising children while still children
them Selves, married girls and girl mothers face constrained decision-making and reduced life
choices. Boys are also affected by child marriages but the issue impacts girls in far larger and
with more intensity (Bayisenge, 2010). Throughout the developing world, millions of girls are
married while they are still children. The practice of child marriage spans diverse cultures and
each child bride has her own unique story. Yet those who have suffered its indignities share a

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common thread that transcends circumstances, cultures, counties and continents (UNICEF,
2006).

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study focused on exploring the causes and consequences of early marriage in Kismayo,
Jubaland State region of Somalia. The main aim of the study is to identify the causes of child
marriage and its consequences and aslo assessing and exploring the pathways of reducing Child
Marriage. Therefore this study has been carried out in Jubbaland, Kismayo, Jubbaland State of
Somalia.

Objectives of the study

Main objectives the study was:

- To investigate the causes of child marriage in Somalia

- To explore the effects of child marriage on women living in Jubaland state of Somalia
- To suggest some attainable solution to decrease the child marriage in Kismayo, Jubaland
Somalia.

Research Questions

1. What are the causes behind the child marriage in Kismayo,Jubaland, Somalia?

2. What are the consequences of the child marriage exercise in Kismayo?

3. What measures can be taken to eliminate or to reduce the child marriage in Kismayo,
Jubaland?

Significance of the research

This study is significant in exploring causes and consequences of early marriage. This study
expected to help people who are seeking to acquire new knowledge about child marriage practice
particularly those people who want to know what are the causes and the consequences of child
marriage. This research hoped to be necessary for the students and instructors who are interested
to extend their knowledge of social problems and gender related issues to realize more about
causes and consequences of child marriage and those who want to study further of this topic.
Furthermore, this thesis provides a comprehensive understanding what is the real causes and
consequences of child marriage.

The findings of this study are expected to help the government; the community also could be
useful to any potential researchers who are interested to make further study on this topic.

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Additionally, this research will be helpful for the Somali government and international
organizations who are interested to work to address the child marriage issues.

Conceptual Framework

This study highlights the causes and consequences of child marriage and their impacts. There are
many factors contribute in child marriage such as poverty and economic transactions. Poverty is
the critical factor which contributing to child marriage where is acute, a young girl may be
regarded as an economic burden and her marriage to a much older man, a common practice in
some Middle East & South-Asia societies, is a family survival strategy, and may even be seen as
being in her interest. In traditional communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, the family may receive
cattle from the groom’s family, as the bride wealth for their daughter (Rwezura, 1994).

In Somalia, Poverty is one of the main factors which influence child marriage, particularly in the
rural communities. Rural communities are prone to repetitive draughts and environmental
degradation which make many households vulnerable to poverty. In other words, extreme
poverty pushed many parents to give their daughters marriage to deal with family problems of
poverty. In the context of poverty, the practice of paying bride wealth encourages child marriage.
Bride wealth enhances the practice in most African communities as it is highly valued and
encourages parents to marry off their children early (UNICEF, 2001).

Traditional & cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) contribute to the child
marriage of girls. FGM is defined as partial or complete removal of the external female genitals
for cutting rather than medical reasons.

Other names for FGM include female circumcision or ritual female surgery. It is performed in
some African, South American, Asian and Middle East Countries. Female genital mutilation is a
cultural rather than a religious practice and its origins are known. However, its practioners
believe the procedure enhances the girls health, hygiene, chastity, fertility and marriage
prospects. Globally, an average of 140 million women have undergone FGM with 4 and 5
million procedures performed annually on female infants and girls (WHO,2006:7). In Kenya,
FGM is practiced mostly by the Masai, Somali, Samburu, Abagusii, Akamba, Ameru, Pokot,
Abakuria, Majikenda and Agikuyu. The reasons behind FGM are to restrict Sexual pleasure and
temptation by the girls. Among the pastoralist communities in Mandera, the rite is undertaken
when a girl is at adolescent stage, approximately 14-15 years (FIDA. 2009:7).

In Somalia, Child marriage is also known as early marriage, which is considered as a serious
problem in many parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America and Somalia including Kismayo,
Jubaland state of Somalia.

Additionally, there is a consensus that child marriage is a harmful traditional practice which
affects young girls who are married off to s man without their consent or will. This culture is
basically a violation of human rights as girls rights to schooling and personal development to

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realize their full potential is fully or partially rejected. This type of marriage is widely believed
to be a hindrance to the potentiality of female minors who are married off at a young age. They
can hardly contribute effectively to their future wellbeing, family and the society at large.
According to the responses from the key informant interviews, this can be an explanation for
why the number of females with higher education is limited. This culture prevents many young
females from pursing higher and quality education. One female participant was quoted as saying.

The status of women in society plays a key role in early marriage; women are seen as inferior and
they are neglected and despised. For instance, in India, the birth of a girl is seen as an occasion of
heartbroken sorrow and despair, even in relatively affluent and educated families. A girl is seen as a
burden given the fact that she will get married elsewhere and leave her natal family. Thus, parents
prefer to educate boys and marry the girls off at an early age. A male child is more likely to gain full
education, gain employment and pursue a working life, tending to marry later. In Somalia, the
female: male ratio of marriage before age 18 is 72:1 while in
Kenya, it is 21:1 (Nawal, 2006:98).”

In Somalia, peer pressure plays a very important role in early marriage. This means that the
marriage of a young girl or a boy attracts other teenagers of the same age in the same area pr
schools to marry. In addition, girls are socially encouraged to marry at a young age to get as
many children as possible. Some respondents even suggest that there is a general perception in
the society that the smartest & most beautiful girls are married as early as possible.

Therefore, girls feel proud and responsible when they are married while they know that early
marriage is a risky move, but they cannot resist peer pressure. Failing in grade 8 of the
intermediate schools and secondary schools creates frustration among many female minors.

Some who desired scholarships fail to achieve their dreams, some others do not manage to
continue their education for financial reasons and there is limited intervention to deter these
minors from turning to early marriage as an option.

Societal attitude plays a key role in early marriage. Participants argue that some parents marry
off their daughters to protect their dignity. They have the perception that it is better and safer for
both girls and the family dignity to have an arranged marriage, girls cannot be easily divorced
because members from the side of the bride and the bridegroom discuss and agree on certain
terms including the bride price, who and how to solve any disagreement between the prospective
husband andwife as well as in the case of divorce which is to be strictly avoided. Marrying a 15
years old girl is socially acceptable. The socially accepted ideal age of marriage in Somalia and
in many Muslim countries is when puberty starts for both boys and girls, but the physical
appearance and the mental growth are other factors which are considered according to the
respondents. In addition, the Islamic religion appears to be the base for the case of puberty
because Islam considers to be an adult if boy and girl gets signs of maturity.

Early marriage is a violation of the fundamental rights of the child. Article 21 of the 1990
African charter on the rights and welfare of the child states that “Child marriage and betrothal of

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the girls and boys shall be prohibited and effective action including legislation shall be taken to
specify the minimum age of marriage to be 18 years. “Also the Maputo protocol on the rights of
Women in Africa (October, 2005) and the newly adopted criminal law of Ethiopia (2005)
acknowledge the minimum age of marriage for women to be 18 years and state that marriage
shall only take place with full consent of both parties.

Unfortunately, knowledge of and respect for the law is limited among many rural communities.

Early marriage, also known as child marriage, is an international issue which is widely practiced
in many parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. While Somalia is not an exception, little is
known about the real causes and effects of this century’s old socially accepted harmful practice
which seriously impacts the lives of the many under Age girls who are victims of it. This
tradional practice prevents young girls from realizing their full potential in life, limiting their
physical, psychological and economic development.

Methodology

The objectives of this study are to survey around perception of causes and consenquences of
early marriage to get attainable solution to decrease this issue. The survey will be suitable for
collecting data because time scope will challenge the researcher. The research paper will practice
two research approaches, one will be qualitative and the other will be quantitative, so these two
methods will enhance the quality of the research paper. Using probability sampling will give
equal opportunity to all participants to take part in this research. To enhance the research
reliability and validity, we will use probability sampling to select the representative of the
population. Simple random sampling will be easy for collecting the simple. This sampling
method will be cost effective and reliable. The population of this study will divide into two
different parts, one party will be Kismayo City residents, and the others will be civil society
organizations. Using sampling technique, we will choose the participants into various institutions
such as schools principals, married girls and their Parents. This study will use survey which is
suitable and appropriate for understanding the behaviors and perceptions of the selected
population. The researcher will use closed-ended questionnaire which will be suitable to collect
reliable data because this method will consume less cost and will be a fast one to collect massive
data. During this research, the researcher will use descriptive statistics such as simple
percentage, frequency distribution, median and mean that will identify the causes and
consequences of early marriage. To analyze data, we will use statistics package for social science
which is known SPSS Software to transform the data collected from participants to useful
information.

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LITERATURE REVIEW
This literature review has been focused on only Somalia, relevant to this research problem.

Concept of Child Marriage in Somalia

When we look and review the critical thing and historically literature review that causes early
Marriage is contributor factor of number one is poverty, where poverty is acute, families those
experience chronic poverty, child girl may be regarded as an economic burden and her marriage
to a much older man. In Somalia Society specially rural areas and settlements which old clan
system practiced it is common and they also believe as an strategy for Survival family condition
of financial situations also get some benefits when their daughter come man that he wants and
they deal also the amount of livestock he has and can pay when he pays 10-25 camels to the
groom’s family they immediately give, on the other hand parents blame their daughters that its
better to get married early because in Somalia community all of them believe that its impossible
that daughters stay alone they are saying girls have limited time frame and as not limited as man
so its always mandatory to get married early, there is also other reasons which parents live in
conflict areas fear always that their daughters are not safe they are worried because there is
always ethnicity and Clan conflicts and difficulties of mobilizing ethnic groups members as
well as relatives married daughters because parents discuss both sides to protect their daughter to
get marriedearly, is the only option they have. Some Parents always get concerns about the
future of their daughters because when daughter going school they fear constantly of having
illegal pregnant and their image in the village or district can worsen and think about that shame
that is why parents refuse their daughters to go to school when daughters receives menstruation.
On the other hand mostly southern part of Somalia religion leaders and imams encourage parents
to get married their daughters as early they became under eighteen years old because In Islam its
believed that early married is Suna, although Countries in Horn of Africa do same because they
practice Islamic rules. That factor of religious side made many girls those met early marriage not
to continues lives they face due to their experience of managing house is not matching the
capacity they have and finally made them divorce and separation also experience neglecting
from both sides even parents don’t care when she became dropout. Early marriage consequences
inSouthern Somalia such Jubaland State of Somalia is very common when girl became divorced
she faces lots of problems they met isolation, no education attending even mostly they cant get
work due to lack of skills to meet and fill the requirements and other circumstances which leads
her to became dropout from life. Limited education and economic constraints little or not getting
school strongly causing girls being married at early stage. If girls attend schools and get high
education levels would protect from possibility of early marriage.

In Sub-Saharan Africa include Somalia girls face insecure and conflicts for example when
families live in unsafe regions, parents may genuinely believe that marrying their daughters is

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the best way to protect them from danger. In war affected areas in Burundi, Northern Uganda,
Mali, Somalia, Northern Mauritania South Sudan, these are all African Countries a girls may be
married to a warload who should ensure that girl and her family remain safe. The Democratic
republic of Congo and elsewhere, girls have been abducted or recruited by armed groups and
made in to the bush wives of combatants and commanders.

Religion Purpose Many societies are under pressure to marry off their daughters as early as
possible in an effort to prevent her from becoming sexually active before marriage, a women
who does so brings dishonor to her family and community. Because marriage often determines a
women’s status in many societies, parents also worry that if they don’t marry their daughters
according to social expectations, they will not be able to marry them at all.

Somalia’s Ministry of Woman and Human Rights Development, Deqa Yasin Hagi, and
UNICEF’s Regional Director for eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), Leila Pakkala, launched the
process in Mogadishu. The Ministry is partnering with UNICEF and Somali Civil Society
Organizations in the drafting process and expects wide ranging contributions from Somali
Society.

The Child Rights Bill, once approved, will be the foundation for the promotion and protection of
all child rights in the country. Somalia retified the convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
in October,2015. The launch of Drafting process of this comprehensive children’s law today
shows the determination of the Federal Government to ensure the articles in the CRC became a
reality in the Somalia, “ Said Ministry Deqa Yasin Hagi, “ Children have been seriously affected
by armed, draught and many other challenges. We should now focus on guaranteeing their future
by strengthening the legal framework which will enable them to enjoy their rights, including the
right to development, education, and Protection among others.

Reasons for early Marriage in Africa

The factors which are presented below are not a particularly of African countries because they
seem to be almost the same all over the world with very few disparities due to cultures.

Economic Survival Strategies

Poverty is the major factors underpinning early marriage. Where poverty is acute, a young girls
may be regarded as an economic burden (UNICEF 2001, Farum on marriage and the rights of
women and Girls 2001). Parents encourage the marriage of their daughters while they are still
children in hope that the marriage will benefit them both financially and socially, while also
relieving financial burdens on the family. The marriage to a much older sometimes even elderly
man is practice common in some societies. In traditional societies in Sub-Saharan Africa, the
bride’s family may receive cattle from the groom, or the groom’s family, as the bride price for
their daughter, (UNICEF 2001). The following case of a Zimbabwe girl is one of many cases of
girls who are married off at a very young age due to economic constraints, in August 2001, a ten

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year old girl in Zimbabwe was reported in a local newspaper as having been sold to be a wife to
a 40 years old man in order for the family to obtain cash for food. She was sold for $ 2000 Zim
that is equivalent to USD 7. This sum would perhaps have bought two sacks of maize. In
traditional societies- where infant mortility was very high and survival depended on a family’s
ability to produce its own food or goods for sale- child marriage helped to maximize the number
of pregnancies and ensure enough surviving children to meet household labor needs (Bayisenge,
2010). Additionally, poor families tend to marry off girls at the same time to help reduce the
burden of high marriage ceremony expenses.

Socio-Cultural and Religious Values

In communities where child marriage is prevalent, there is strong social pressure on families to
conform. Failure to conform can often result in ridicule, disapproval or family shame. Invariably,
local perceptions on the ideal age for marriage, the desire for sabmissive wives, extended family
patterns and other customary requirements, are all enshrined in local customs or religious norms.
In many context child marriage is legitimazed by patriarchy, and related family structures, which
ensure that marriage transfers a father’s role over his girl child to her future spouse. The
marriage or betrothal of children in parts of Africa and Asian is valued as a means of
consolidating powerful relations between families, for sealing deals over land or other property,
or even setting disputes (Cleland et al, 2006). The string religious message also enforce the view
that marrying early is best as supported by the following views of one priest representing
Ethiopian’s orthodox church. Her argues that these days, with western ideas spread everywhere;
girls stay unmarried as late as 30. It is very scientific and modern. But in our church it is
,prohibited. Such girls are neither clean, or blessed (Barnes et al, 1998 ).

Value of Virginity and Protection of young girls

Early marriage is one way to ensure that a wife is protected, or placed firmly under male control
that she is submissive to her husband and works hard for her in-laws household; that the children
she bears are legitimate, (UNICEF 2001 : Nour, 2006). On the other hand, for many societies
that prize virginity before marriage can manifest it self in a number of practices designated to
protect a girl from unsanctioned sexual activity. In North- East Africa and parts of the Middle
East in particular, control may also include the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM to
restrict sexual pleasure and temptation. Some parents withdraw their girls from school as soon as
they begin to menstruate; fearing that exposure to male pupils or teachers puts them at risk.

These practices are all intended to shield the girl from male suxual attention, but in the eyes of
concerned parents, marriage is seen to offer the ultimate protection measure. In wars and civil
conflicts parents or careers resort to child marriage as a protective mechanism or survival
strategy. Displaced populations living in refugees camps may feel unable to protect their
daughters from rape, and so marriage to a warload or other authority figure may provide

19 | P a g e
improved protection. For the young girls orphans or separated with their parents or relatives the
only way to survive and to get protection is to get married.

International Instruments on Early Marriage

A number of human rights instruments lay down norms to be applied to marriage covering issues
of age, consent, equality within marriage and the personal and property rights of women. For
example, article 16 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of human rights (UDHR)states that: 1)
Men and women of full age have the right to marry and found a family and (2) marriage shall be
entered in to only with free and full consent of the intending parties (UNICEF, 2001:3). Similar
provisions are included in the 1966 international convenient on economic, Social and cultural
rights, the 1966 international convenient on civil and political rights, and Article 1 of the 1956
supplementary convention on the abolition of Slavery, the slave Trade, and institutions and
practices. The same convention in article states that, any institution or practice whereby (1) a
woman without the right to refuse, is promised or given in marriage on payment of a
consideration in money or in kind to her parents, guardian, family (UNICEF, 2001:3).

Somalia has signed and ratified all major international human rights treaties that carry provisions
to protect young girls from early marriage. Poverty is the critical factor contributing to early
marriage. Where poverty is acute, a young girl may be regarded as an economic burden and her
marriage to a much older man, a practice common in some Middle eastern and South Asian
societies, is a family survival strategy, and may even be seen as being in her interest. In
traditional societies in Sub-Saharan Africa, the bride family may receive cattle from the groom,
or the grooms family, as the bride wealth for their daughter (Rwezura, 1994:6). This is because
in Africa the momentary value of bride wealth is linked to marriage.

In cash or kind, used to exchange a bride for her labor and fertility. On the other hand, where
early marriage is practiced in communities is regarded as a transaction, often representing a
significant economic activity for a family. A daughter may be the only commodity a family has
left to be traded and sometimes girls can be used as currency to settle debts. In India, example,
dowry as a gift to a daughter married is like a bribe to the groom to take one’s daughter off one’s
hands (Rao, 1993:98).

In the context of poverty, the practice of paying bride wealth can encourage early marriage.
Bride wealth enhances the practice in most African communities as it is highly valued and
encourages parents to marry off their children early (UNICEF, 2001: 98).

In addition, Some communities do not regard education of the girl highly as that of the boy child.
for instance, young girls in Sub-country are often lured into marriage by fishermen who have the
cash. Therefore, early marriage are seen as a source with which their parents can attain greater
wealth in marrying early age, and for bride wealth and to lessen the parents economic burden.
Therefore, marrying off daughters early relieves the family financially and socially (international
centre for research on women, 2007:98).

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Traditional and cultural practices such as female genital cutting (FGC) contribute to the early
marriage of girls. FGC is defined as partial or complete removal of the external female genitals
for cultural rather than medical reasons. Other names for FGC include circumcision or Ritual
female surgery. It is performed in some African countries. Female genital cutting is a cultural
rather than a religious practice, and its origins are unknown. However, its practitioners believe
the procedure enhances the girls health, hygiene, chastity, fertility and marriage prospects.
Globally, an average of 140 million girls have undergone FGC with 4 and 5 million procedures
performed annually on female infants and girls (WHO, 2006:7).

in Kenya, FGC is practiced mostly by the Massai, Somali, Samburu, Abagusii, Akamba, Ameru,
Pokot, Abakuria, Mijikenda andAgikuyu. The reason behind FGC is to restrict sexual pleasure
and temptation by the girls.Among the pastoralist communities in Mandera, the rite is under
taken when a girls is at adolescent stage, approximately 14-15 years (FIDA, 2009:7).

Unfortunately, this is the stage that in the Kenya education system, the girls are either
completing the primary cycle or are in the first two classes of secondary school. The effect of
this practice on the circumstance girls is that they get a license to get married and the men are
ready to take them away for marriage. Ninety-eight per cent of Somali girls are circumcised
(FIDA, 2009:8).

According to Somali culture, the rite is very important and necessary as virginity at marriage is
extremely highly valued, and is the second most common group of reasons centered around the
belief that infibulations is the most valid means for ensuring that a girl will remain a virgin until
marriage and that proof of an intact infibulations on the wedding might is proof of the virginity
(Jaldesa et al, 2005:16). The loss of adolescence, the forced sexual relations, and the denial of
freedom and personal development attendant to early marriage have profound psychosocial and
emotional consequences. The impact can be subtle and insidious and the damage hard to assess.
It includes such tangible factors as the effect of a girl’s loss of mobility and her confinement to
the home and to household roles (UNICEF, 2001:9). Most girls who are unhappy in an imposed
marriage are very isolated. They have nobody to talk to as they are surrounded by people who
endorse their situation.

In Ethiopia, inter-African Committee research were struck by the lack of interest elders in and
the traumas suffered by young girl and as a result of early marriage, premature sex and child
bearing. These traumas were regarded as an unavoidable part of life (Berhane-Selassie, 1993:9).
Girls who run home to their parents may be beaten and sent back to their husbands. Thus,
distress is generally endured in silence. Indian researchers on early marriage in Rajasthan
Madhya Pradesh state that girl spouses suffer more than boys. Inadequate socialization,
discontinuation of education, great physiological and emotional damage due to repeated
pregnancies devastates these girls. If the huspand dies, even before consummation, the girl is
treated as a widow and given in natal to a widower in the family. Officially she is considered a
wife but, in fact, under the practice of natal she becomes the common property of all the men in

21 | P a g e
the family (Sexena, 1999:9). The child bride who is widowed very young can suffer additional
discrimination. Widows suffer loss of status and they along with their children are often denied
property rights and a range of other human rights.

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This methodology was used in collecting data related to this study. Methodology contains
research design, target population, sampling method, sample size, method of data
collection as well as data analysis method, validity of the data, ethical consideration, and
limitation of the study.

3.2. Research Design

This study was carried out using a cross-sectional design that used qualitative methods of
data collection. Qualitative data was collected through key informant interviews,
observation and narratives. Quantitative data was cleaned, coded and analyzed using the
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Software and the results presented by
using tables as well as charts with frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data was
grouped into themes and excerpts used to support the objectives. In addition, I have used
descriptive study as it was chosen particular the causes and the consequences of child
marriage in Kismayo Town.

3.3. Target Population

The target population for the study were women those who live in Kismayo, Jubbaland,
Somalia. I had chosen these people as they were victims of the problem. This study was
conducted in Kismayu, Jubbaland and I was targeting women who were married at early
age, their parents, elites of the society, and school teachers/principals in order to achieve
the objectives of the study.

3.4. Sampling Method

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This study was used probability sampling method; Simple random sampling was
determined for this study. The respondents of the research were selected among from the
community living in Kismayo town, of Jubaland state. Once I decided about the research
population and sample, the data collected the respondents specified to obtain the
information. The sample of the research was picked up the people of Kismayo Town to
represent the whole community.

3.5. Sample Size

The sample size of this study was 20 pupils who were selected from Kismayo Town.
Respondents were selected purposively in Kismayo Community. The respondents were
asked with a written question about the causes and consequences of the child marriage
and the possible ways they thought to reduce child marriage.

3.6. Method of the Data Collection

The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods focusing on primary and
secondary data. The data was collected through direct interviews & phone calls
interviews. This involved conducted interviews with girls, Parents, School administrators,
Female teachers and organizations within the study area and interview to explore the
depth of the issues. This helped to minimize potential bias resulting from a single
method. This study adopted descriptive research and collected qualitative data. I have
also used qualitative research method to complement each other while I have adopted
qualitative approaches.

3.7. Data Analysis Method

The data collected from participants were organized and processed for analyzing using
Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The data collected from respondents using
questionnaire were quantified to examine. The research data was summarized and
presented in charts, with frequency distribution.

23 | P a g e
3.8. Validate Data

The validity of the research is the degree of the state which the researcher used the tools
and techniques to assess the received data. The researcher needs to share the data
gathered to research respondents. Therefore the researcher needs to ensure the research
validity to reach a meaningful conclusion. Validity suggests truthfulness. It refers to how
well an idea fits with actual reality. In simple terms, validity addresses the question of
how well we measure social reality using our constructs about it (Neumann et al, 2002).

3.9. Ethical Consideration

The researcher needs to maintain ethics with regard to preserving the respondents’
information. Ethics are accepted principles of conduct that governs behavior within a
society but other way, ethical principles define the boundary between rights and wrong
(Courtland &Thill, 2011).

My study ensured a high degree of privacy in the data collection and storage by allowing
only the research team accessibility. The filled in/answered questionnaires were kept
under the custody of the overall researcher as soon as they were collected and were not
released to any unauthorized person. Names and other thinks will not be used in this
study to protect the ethical standards of the research. The researchers also committed to
release accurate research findings irrespective of the findings from the study.

3.10. Limitation of the Study

The research was constructed by insufficient finance since it entailed assistance of

research assistants. The location of the study was far for the researcher’s station and well
skilled friends were employed and hired to supervise and collect the data and researcher
did not observe the data collection task. The time limit was the primary constraint for the
researchers to collect massive data within timeframe. Finally, the language barrier was
also main constraint of the researcher which caused time loss and efforts.

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 DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

4.1. Background of the Respondents

Figure 1 demonstrates about the gender status of the respondents. The survey reveals that
about 23.3% of the respondents were male whereas 76.7% were female. On the other
hand, 31.7% of the respondents were belong to age group 26-30 years old, 9 were age
group of 14-20 years, 15% were age group of 31-35 years, 10% of the respondents were
age group of above 30 years and finally 8.3% of the respondents were age group of 21-25
years. It means that most respondents are in the youth group. Educational status of the
respondents shows that most of the respondents (33.3%) were in elementary school, 30%
of the respondents were in primary school, 28% of the respondents were in secondary
school and 8.3% of the respondents were selected from other category including college,
Bachelor degree. It means that most of the respondents are under secondary school
including primary and intermediate.

The marital status of the respondents reveals that majority (46.7%) of the respondents are
married, 8.3% of the respondents were single and 4% of the respondents were widowed.
On the other hand, the majority (50%) of the respondents has been married for 1-5 years,
16.7% of the respondents has been married for 5-10 years, where 13.3% of the
respondents has been married for 10-15 years, 8.3% of the respondents has been married
for 15-20 years, while 3.7% of the respondents has been married for 20-25 years and
finally 5% of the respondents has been married more than 25 years. This means that the
majority of the respondents has been married for 1-5 years and least percentage of the
respondents has been married for more than 25 years which indicated that the number of
widower are increasing whenever years increase. The study showed that the majority
(63.3%) of the respondents have children and 36.7% of the respondents showed that they
have no children. On the other hand, 41.7% of the respondents have 3-5 children, where
38.3% of the respondents had 1-3 children and finally 20% of the respondents had more

25 | P a g e
than 5 children, married respondents were also asked who pays their household bills and
they responded that 60% were paid by their parents while relatives pay 25% and others
pay 15%.

may be yes

29%

71%

Figure 1: Gender status of the respondents

This section discussed about the employment status of the respondents. 25% of the
participants mentioned that they are employee, unlike that 75% of the respondents
showed that they are not working. So that it indicates that majority of the female
respondents are not working. According to the employment sector, 33.3% of the
participants were employed at formal sector while 66.7% of the participants employed at
informal sectors. Because of low level of academic qualification majority of the Somali
women are working informal sectors and shows that girls live in Kismayo rural areas
affected the general unemployment of the country and it is not easy to get every girl a job
opportunity so that to know who take the economic responsibilities of unemployed and
married person, 60% of the participants showed that their families are responsible for
their life, 25% of the respondents mentioned their relatives are responsible for their bill,
where as 15% of the respondents answered other including their friends.

26 | P a g e
If yes, what type of employment are you engagedwith?

70.00%

60.00%

50.00%

40.00%

30.00%

20.00%

10.00%

0.00%
may be yes

Figure 2: Types of employment of the respondents

The female respondents who took part in the interviews were age of virginity so that the
age of the respondents got marriage, 33.3% of the respondents got married at age below
15 years old, and 58.4% of the respondents got married at age between 15-18 years old,
while 8.3% of the respondents got married at above 18 years old. This means that most of
the women in Kismayo got married at the age below mature. To find out the purpose of
the respondent’s married, 26.7% of the respondents got married due to the pressure from
community culture, 63.3% of the respondents got married for parents pressure. Whereas,
10% of the respondents believe that women got married other purpose including peer
pressure, escape from their home due to the home workload, etc. This indicates that
majority of women got married parents pressure due to income purpose and cultural
believes. Should girls continue school if they got married, 13.3% of the respondents
believe that girls could continue education if they got married, 70% of the respondents
believes that girls could not continue education, while 16.7% of the respondents

27 | P a g e
answered I don’t know. That means after getting married, community or society did not
allow continuing their study.

Do you think that rural atmosphere compelled parents to think negatively for education of
the female child in Kismayo

70.00%

60.00%

50.00%

40.00%

30.00% Series1

20.00%

10.00%

0.00%
may be yes no

Figure : Rural atmosphere compelled parents to think negative for girls education

Figure 4 demonstrates that rural atmosphere compel parents to think negatively for girls
education in Kismayo. 61.75 of the respondents indicate that rural atmosphere compelled
parents to think negatively for girlsedication in Kismayo whereas 13.3% of the
respondents consider that rural atmosphere does not compel parents to think negatively
for girls education. 25% of the respondents answered “May be” that means not sure. At
the conclusion, it means rural atmosphere compelled parents to think negatively for girls
education due to low level education, lack economic activities which causes girls got
early marriage.

4.2. Decision of Early Marriage

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Figure 4 shows about the decision to get early marriage. The study sought to know why
girls got married early. When researchers asked them why they got married early, 63.3%
of the respondents replied that they got married early because of their parents’ pressure.
That means parents play vital role as girls do not take any decision at the early age, where
girls wanted to free their parents from any kind of physical problems e-g. blood pressure.
That ‘s why girls expose their positive approach with say yes in every agenda. On the
other hand, 26.7% of the respondents considered that they got married because of social
culture as a pull factors practicing in their family. In terms of it, many girls thought that if
they join a famous or wealthy family their life will be better and girls family will be
pleased. Others 10% respondents believe they got married because of other factors. This
indicates that women in Kismayo got married at early age mostly because pressure from
their parents along with socio cultural pulls factors.

Why did you decided to get married at early age

8.33
9.00
8.00 6.67
7.00
6.00 5.00
5.00
4.00 Series1
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
Local Political Early dropping Peer Pressure
pressure out of school

4.3 Causes of Child marriage

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Figure 5 Investigates the causes of Child marriage in Kismayo. It was found from this
interview that large number of respondents 33.3% believed that parents pressure caused
the early marriage, 25% of the respondents were believed that socio cultural barriers lead
to the Child marriage whereas 21.7% of the respondents considered it as economic while
8.3% of the respondents believed that peer pressure caused the Child marriage. On the
other hand, 6.75% of the respondents opined that early dropping out of the school caused
of the early marriage followed by 5% respondents for local political pressure causes the
Child marriage.

This study indicates that parent’s pressure due to economic and socio cultural practices
were the major causes of Child marriage in Kismayo. Economic survival, early dropping
out of school and the girls peer group contributed less significant of Child marriage in
kismayo.

Reasons for Early Marriage

Parental Influence

Socio-Cultural Barriers

Economic Survival & Poverty

Peer Pressure Series1

Early dropping out of school

Local Political pressure

0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00

Figure 5 Causes of early marriage

4.4 Impact of Child marriage

Figure-6 demonstrates the impact of Child marriage to girls. To find out the impact of Child
marriage, this study revealed that 20% of the respondents thought early marriage has health and
psychological impacts to the girls, 16.7% of the respondents believed that early marriage

30 | P a g e
enhancing the rate of illiteracy in the society while 11.7% of the respondents considered that
Child marriage limited the persons independence or autonomy and decision making ability.
Moreover, 18.3% of the respondents showed that early marriage increasing divorce and widows,
25% of the respondents believed that early marriage increase domestic violence and
imprisonment whereas 8.3% of the respondents believed that early marriage degrading social
exclusion.

Therefore, this study indicates that early marriage entirely has negative impact on the girls health
and psychological matters, it is increasing illiteracy, limited person’s independence and decision
making ability. On the other hand, it is also increasing divorce as persons were not married based
on their expectation and love. As a result domestic violence and imprisonment were increased,
and women are getting less consideration from the community. It is clear that early marriage
affected nowdays in most developing and least developed countries like Somalia where every
thing is recognized by corruption and bribery.

Impacts of Child Marriage

Impacts of early Marriage

8.30%0 20%
25% Health & psychological impacts
16.70% to the girl
Enhances rate of illiteracy to the
18.30% 11.70% society
Limited the persons indepence

increases divorce & Widows

Figure 6: Impact of early marriage

4.5 Possible ways to reduce Child marriage

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Respondents were also asked to provide information of what needs to be done to reduce
Child marriage and its effect on poor women in Kismayo. It is found that 23.3% of the
respondents believe that changing parents perception of girls marriage and education with the
policy makers needs to be changed, most of them believed to prevent Child marriage it is
highly needed to make changes their parents mindset along with policy makers. On the other
hand, 18.3% of the respondents suggested to giving girls income opportunities to prevent
early marriage whereas 16.7% emphasized the need of implementation of gender
development policy and proper practices, they believed if women get protecting policy for
ensuring their rights and that policy can protected early marriage. 13.3% of the respondent
suggested by removing socio-cultural barriers early marriage in Kismayo would be
eliminated from the society where 8.3% respondents considred enhancing safety in public
place, they indicated girls droupout schools and got marriage early because they felt
public places like schools are not save enough to study girls.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Introduction

This section summarizes the data collected from the respondents, followed by a
conclusion about research findings and finally, the researcher made a
recommendation how to develop the present situation articulating the further
research.

5.2 Conclusion

Early marriage is commonly practiced in every region of Somalia and Kismayo and not
exception. The findings of this study suggest that, poverty, illiteracy, and early dropping out of
school are the main drivers behind early marriage. In addition, the data identifies that there is an
economic factor which pushes many parents to marry off their daughters to older men.
Consequently, some young girls cannot choose their prospective husbands and they are subjected
to health, physiological, illiteracy or domestic violence which is a violation of basic rights.

32 | P a g e
Moreover, it is received that girls get married early because of their parents’ pressure due to
economic and socio-cultural practices were the major causes of early marriage in Kismayo.

Economic Survival, early dropping out of school and the girls peer group contributed less
significant of early marriage in kismayo. That means parents play vital role as girls do not take
any decision at the early age where girls wanted to free their parents from any kind of physical
problems e.g. blood pressure, that’s why girls expose their positive approach with say yes in
every agenda. On the other hand, after getting marriage, community or society did not allow
continuing girls study which hampers their effectual development. From this study it is also
revealed that social-culture matters work as pull factor so that many girls thought if they join a
famous family or wealthy, her life will be better or her parents will be pleased. That believes also
responsible for early marriage in Kismayo town.

This study also indicates that early marriage completely has unconstructive impact on the girls
health and psychological matters, it is also increasing illiteracy, limited person’s independency
and decision making ability. On the other hand, it is increasing divorce as persons were not
married based in their expectation and love. As a result domestic violence and imprisonment
were increased, and women are getting less consideration from the community. It is clear, that
early marriage affected nowdays in most developing and least developed countries like Somalia
while every think is recognized by corruption. This finding illustrates that changing parents and
policy makers mindset and exploring education facilities towards women can prevent early
marriage. On the other hand, giving girls income opportunities can also prevent early marriage
along with implementation of gender development and proper practices, by removing socio-
cultural barriers ealy marriage in Kismayo would be eliminated from the society.

The researcher suggest to do further research should be carried out on impact of early marriage.
The country needs to conduct further research to explore the impact of early marriage. This
should include exploring the dynamics such as the reasons why men prefer yunger girls.

5.3 Recommendations

Child marriage is recognized as a violation of human rights and a critical social problem
with multifaceted consequences particularly for women and children. The practice is also

33 | P a g e
recognized as a barriers that inhibits young girls from attaining education that would
otherwise have a lasting positive impact on their life and well-being in view of these
facts, and based on the findings of the study, the following programmatic
recommendations are set forth to help design interventions that may reduce and
ultimately eliminate the practice of early marriage and lessen the misery of thousands of
girls in kismayo and throughout the rest of the country. Early marriage can be reduced
by mainstreaming of certain remedial actions continually for years if not decided. Child
marriage will not fade away anytime soon because it is always difficult to change age-old
customs, traditions and child marriage is not an exception. However, the research
prescribes the following recommendations which are based on relevant literature and the
empirical data gathered through interviews.

On the basis of the conclusions, the study suggests the following recommendations

➢ Governments at all levels should design poverty alleviation strategy particularly in

kismayo rural areas and seek funding from interested donors to reduce poverty
situation in kismayo communities.
➢ The laws that prohibiting the practice of child marriage should be enforced so that
anybody found commiting the offence is criminalized and sentenced to prison.
➢ Address socio-cultural barriers cultural and traditional values and norms are
important determinants of early marriage. As child marriage is a tradition that has
been maintained through generations, sometimes parents may be unaware of the
dangers, or may feel that the dangers are justified for cultural or economic reasons.
➢ Create options to early marriage the findings of the study show that early marriage
is the major cause for girls not to attend school or discontinue their education.
However, advising parents to send their daughters to school when schools are too
far will not work. Making schools for girls that are more accessible to them is very
significant.

34 | P a g e
 ➢ Awareness raising on child marriage should emphasized, support awreness raising
media programmes about the negative effects on the child marriage, and related
human rights of girls and women, to help change attitudes, and strengthen duties
of parents, guardians and the community to protect vulnerable girls.
➢ Promoting education for girls more needs to be done to reduce dropout of girls
from school and keeping them in school though the secondary level.
➢ Incentives for school going girls this could be in the form of provision uniform,
books, stationery and portable solar lamps for girls to enable them study at home
in the night. Equally incentives for families with girls in school for example ; poor
families would increase enrolment and retention of girls in schools.
➢ Improve girls economic standing the federal government of Somalia, jubaland
State, civil society, international organizations, NGOs, and other parents should
improve girls economic standing, by increasing their economic opportunities, and
by initiating incentives-based programmes to support girls to stay at school.
Initiatives and more emphasis should be place on the acceptance of education as a
desirable activity for girls during their adolescent years in order to ensure
increased school enrolment. Provide scholarships which can have an immediate
effect in delaying marriage should be supported and encouraged. Federal
Government and Jubaland State should commit to getting girls to school on time
and to keeping them in school through the secondary level as being in school
during adolescence has important health and development benefits for girls.

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Causes and Consequence of Early Marriage- Kismayo

Checklist

Using the Data Collection Observer in the field to collect information about Causes and
consequences of early Marriage in Kismayo the interview involved 20 pupils with girls,
Parents, School administrators, Female teachers and Local organizations within the study
area and interview to explore the depth of the issues.-Kismayo, Jubbaland State Somalia

Observer
Protocol Available? Issue Comment Remarks
Responding
Causes of Early
Marriage
Household
Income/Lack of
Economic

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Credits of household
Number of Children
Afraid of child abuse
Parents role on
marriage
Pressure of Community
Culture
Poverty
Consequences of early
Marriage
Do you have schools?
Stopping of sending
Girls to school
Afraid their daughter
are not safe
Lack of transportation
How far Schools from
home?
Age of most married
girls?
Escape girls from home
workload
Low Education level

No relatives behind
daughter
Health Consequences
Quality of health
services available?
Fistula
Bleeding
ITI’s
Mental health
Emotionally unwell
Traumatized
Physically torture
Weak
Anemia

What do you think

possible ways to reduce

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this ?
Ethnic mobility
Reasons
What is the Social
Perception on early
marriage ?
Age Groups
14-20 year
21-25 year
26-30 year
31-35 year
Education Levels
ElementarySchool
Intermediate
Secondary
Other Category
College students level
University level

Thank you

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