Child marriage refers to any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the

age of 18 and an adult or another child. Despite a steady decline in this harmful practice
over the past decade, child marriage remains widespread, with approximately one in five
girls married in childhood across the globe. Child marriage is often the result of
entrenched gender inequality, making girls disproportionately affected by the practice.
Globally, the prevalence of child marriage among boys is just one sixth that among the
girls. Because Zambia has one of the highest child marriage rate in the world with about
42% of women married before their 18 th birthday female child marriage in Zambia
remains one of the highest in Africa. When it comes to child marriages girls are the most
affected ones, especially orphans and stepchild. Among 15 to 18 year old adolescents,
16.5% of girls are married compared with 1% of boys. And among 20 to 24 year of women
who are already married which is 31% of them were married before the age of 18 as
compared to only 2.2% of boys. This academic writing will give a detailed account of some
causes, effects as well as preventive measures of early marriage.

A lot of studies were conducted both in Zambia and across the globe on the causes of child
marriage and its effect on the wellbeing of the child, nation and how child marriage
contributes to the cycle of poverty and gender inequality. Fitcher el al (2015) conducted a
study in six districts of Zambia for UNICEF. The study revealed that economic hardships
make parents and guardians to marry off their daughters and they see the practice to be an
opportunity towards financial gain as they would receive the bride price locally known as
‘Lobola’. Another finding was that in larger families, marrying off the eldest daughter
provides the parents with the financial capacity to educate the young children and more so,
the boy child. It further revealed that girl children see the practice as a means of escaping
the economic hardships existing in their family (ibid).

Another cause of child marriage is the phenomenon of culture and tradition. For instance,
Birech (2013:98) study about child marriage and cultural health alludes that “most studies
have shown that the dominant reason for child marriage is culture” and Parsons (2015:12)
affirms that the practice is “rooted in socio-cultural practices and religious beliefs in many
communities.” Okonofua (2013) further regards the cultural misconception and practice of
protecting the girl’s sexuality as the cause of child marriage.In some cultures, it is
considered shame to the family for a girl to engage in sexual activities before marriage. In
this regard, many parents prefer to marry off their girl child early in order to to protect
her purity and avoid bringing the family name to shame (Fernandez, 2013).

In the same vein, Parsons el al (20150 asserts that gender inequality where child marriage
is rooted in, is another cause of child marriage. McCeary and Parsons (2014:2) states that
“the practice of child marriage is driven by social norms and expectations and gender
discrimination that devalues women and and girl child to make choices for themselves”.
Okonofua (2013:9) suggests that child marriage “is driven largely by gender and social
discrimination against the girl child”. (Birech (2013) also added that the societal status and
position of a woman is a critical key in child marriage. Furthermore, “a girl child is seen as
a burden and parents prefer to educate a boy child and marry off the gilr child at an early
age” (ibid:98).

On the other hand, there are numerous drawbacks of early marriages. Firstly, most girls
experience the lack of good health Fischer et al (2015). When a girls is taken for an early
marriage, she may not know how to keep her children, herself and not even the home clean
and healthy. You may find the mother busy cooking and the children are busy disposing
waste which may cause sickness and diseases later on, for example cholera, diarrhea and
typhoid because of dirty water.

Secondly, there is also lack of better care, when a girl child is taken for an early marriage,
she may be irresponsible. Parson et al (2015:18). She may not be able to handle her home
or even to speak to the people of the community. This is more often found to be a problem
in that she will be fearing due to the lack of better care. In addition, unwanted pregnancies
is another setback. When a girl child is taken for an early marriage, she in no time become
pregnant and later on she may give birth through surgery or she may die in the process of
giving birth which is found to be very unfortunate. Some parents take their children to
early marriages idealy to reduce poverty at home and in the community, but you will not
reduce unwanted pregnancies by so doing.
Despite the discussed setbacks, some preventive measures will be highlighted hereunder as
a criterion of curbing this act. Firstly, empowering girl children. Anand and Singh
(2015:1). Every girl has the right to decide her future, but not every girl knows this – that is
why empowering girls is so crucial to ending child marriage. When girls are confident in
their abilities, armed with knowledge or their rights and supported by peer groups of other
empowered girls, they are able to stand up and say “NO” to injustices like child marriage.
Empowered girls are able to re-shape perspectives and challenge conventional norms of
what it means to be a girl.

Further, petitioning government and encouraging supportive laws. In countries where

child marriage is prevalent, petitioning government to increase the minimum age for
marriage to 18 years is critical first step for positive change. Once the minimum age is
increased, it is imperative to continue raising awareness of these laws among government
officials and community leaders to ensure the laws are being enforced. Other legal policies,
such as registering birth certificates and marriages, are powerful tools for preventing child
marriage.

In a nutshell, from the above discussed findings, it can vividly be seen that child marriage
induces more of disadvantages rather than advantages. Social and gender norms are a
major drive to the practice. Henceforth, if made aware of the setbacks, we can be confident
that many parents can refrain from this act. Increasing awareness of the dangers can also
help the nation at large to reduce the number of those who succumb to early/child
marriage regardless of the reasons they can put forth.
 References

Anand , E. and Singh, J. (2015). The Nexus between Child Marriage and Women Empowerment
with Physical Violence in Two Culturally District states of India’ ,International Journal of
Population Research, 2015(458654); 1-9

Birech, J. (2013). ‘Child Marriage: A cultural health phenomenon’. International Journal of

Humanities and sciences, Vol.3.Pp. 17.

Fernandez, R. (2013). Virginity, a must for happy marriage? The Times of India. Bennet,
Coleman & Co. Ltd.

Fischer, R., Mann, G,. and Quigley, P.(2015). ‘Qualitative Study of Child Marriage in six
Districts of Zambia”. Sheng Wan, Hong Konh: Child Frontiers for UNICEF.

Okonofua, F. (2013). ‘Preventing Of Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy in Africa: Need for
more Research and Innovation. Africa Journal of Reproductive Health, 17(4): 9-13.