1

TITLE PAGE

DEVELOPMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF EARLY

MARRIAGE IN NIGERA: A STUDY OF UZO-UWANI
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.

A PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT

OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER
OF SCIENCE (M.SC)

IN
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT

BY
EZE, ANTHONY AMADIFE
REG. NO: PG/M.SC/10/52086

DECEMBER, 2011
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CERTIFICATION

The under listed persons have approved this project on behalf of the Department
of Public Administration and Local Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

……………………. …………………..
Supervisor Head of Department

…………………………..
Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
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DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to my fellow orphans round the globe and my late parents:
H.R.H Igwe J.C. Eze and Lolo Uchenna Eze.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I am grateful to almighty God who by His special grace, care and interest in my
life, brought me from nowhere to somewhere.

This project would have not been a reality if not the marvelous help and guidance
of some people. One of such people is my supervisor and our H.O.D, Prof. Fab O.
Onah, Prof. C. Ofuebe and all the lecturers in PALG who contributed one way or
the other to this project.

I give special thanks to all my friends especially Giginna Nnaemeka (Mekoyo) and
Hon. Onyekachi Stephen Okenwa who proofreads the work before my supervisor,
Honorable, may you live long.

I also highly indebted to my loving and caring brothers, Mr. Emma Eze junior
(Opoko) and Dr C.O. Eze and family whom I am under his auspices right from my
childhood till date; he is the bedrock upon which the realization of my academic
dreams were built. In fact, I lack words to quantify what he is doing for us. May
the good Lord continue to lavish his unending blessings on him.

Lastly, my gratitude should also go to all who have contributed one way or the
other for the accomplishment of this work whose names were inadvertently
omitted, please accept my unreserved apologies.
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ABSTRACT
This research work explored the issue of early marriage in Nigeria. It shed light
specifically on reasons behind its perpetuation, its harmful consequences, shows
how it constitutes a barrier to education and enjoyment of human rights by girls
and how it further threatens the development of the country. The findings from
respondents and extensive reading of materials related to early marriage suggest
that early marriage is due to various factors including among others, the search for
economic survival, protection of young girls, peer group and family pressure,
controlling female behavior and sexuality, wars and civil conflicts, socio-cultural
and religious values. It is a violation of girls’ human rights as it deprives her from
freedom, opportunity for personal development, and other rights. It is also a
developmental challenge for population pressure, health care costs and lost
opportunities of human development. It is a barrier to girls’ education as young
girls drop out of school to get married which impacts negatively on the community
as a whole and on the well-being of future generation. This practice stands in
direct conflict with the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);
such as the promotion of basic education, fight against poverty, the prevention of
HIV/AIDS and reduction of maternal mortality rate in sub Saharan Africa and
Nigeria in particular. To deal with the problem, a number of strategies have been
suggested mainly for providing economic opportunities to young girls, promoting
education of girls and using mass media to increase the awareness of the whole
community about the consequences of early marriage on girls themselves, their
family and on the community as a whole.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page - - - - - - - - i
Approval Page/Certification- - -- - - - ii
Dedication- - - - - - - - - iii
Acknowledgement- - - - -- - - - iv
Abstract- - - - - -- - - - v
Table of Contents- - - - -- - - - vi

Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study- - -- - - - 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem- - -- - - - 4
1.3 Objectives of the Study- - -- - - - 7
1.4 Significance of the Study- - -- - - - 8
1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study - -- - - - 9

Chapter 2: Literature Review and Methodology

2.1 Literature Review- - - - - - - 11
2.1.1 What is Early Marriage - - - - - - 11
2.1.2 Context of Early Marriage in African - - - 13
2.1.3 Early Marriage as a Development Challenge - - - 13
2.2 Hypotheses- - - - - - - - 19
2.3 Operationalization of Key Concepts -- - - - 19
2.4 Research Methodology- - - - - - 21
2.5 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - 26

Chapter 3: Background Information on the Study Area

3.1 Background Information on Uzo-uwani Local Government Area - 29

Chapter 4: Data Presentation, Analysis and Findings

4.2 Data Presentation- - - - - - - 34
4.3 Summary of the Findings- - - - -- - 41
4.3 Discussion of Findings- - - - -- - 42

Chapter 5: Summary, Recommendations and Conclusion

5.1 Summary - - - - - - -- - 44
5.2 Recommendations - - - - - -- - 44
5.3 Conclusion- - - - - - - - 47
5.4 BIBLIOGRAPHY- - - - - - - 51
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Birth, marriage and death are the standard trio of key events in most
people’s lives. But only one ‘marriage’ is a matter of choice. The right to
exercise that choice was recognized as a principle of law even in Roman
times and has long been established in international human rights
instruments. Yet many girls, and a smaller number of boys, enter into
marriage without any chance of exercising their right to choose. Some are
forced into marriage at a very early age. Others are simply too young to
make an informed decision about their marriage partner or about the
implications of marriage itself. They may have given what passes for
‘consent’ in the eyes of custom or the law, but in reality, consent to their
binding union has been made by others on their behalf.
The assumption is that once a girl is married, she has become a
woman – even if she is only 12. Equally, where a boy is made to marry, he is
now a man and must put away childish things. While the age of marriage is
generally on the rise, early marriage – marriage of children and adolescents
below the age of 18 is still widely practiced. While early marriage takes
many different forms and has various causes, one issue is paramount.
Whether it happens to a girl or a boy, early marriage is a violation of human
rights. The right to free and full consent to a marriage is recognized in the
1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and in many
subsequent human rights instruments – consent that cannot be ‘free and full’
when at least one partner is very immature. For both girls and boys, early
marriage has profound physical, intellectual, psychological and emotional
impacts, cutting off educational opportunity and chances of personal growth.
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For girls, in addition, it will almost certainly lead to premature pregnancy

and childbearing, and is likely to lead to a lifetime of domestic and sexual
subservience over which they have no control (Eboh, 1996).
Early marriage before the age of 18 is a violation of a number of
international human rights charters and conventions such as 1989
Convention on The Rights of the Child (CRC), 1979 Convention on the
Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEFADW), the
1989 African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the 1990 African
Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Women. However, for many young
girls in developing countries, marriage is perceived as a means of securing
their future and protecting them. Girls are forced into marriage by their
families while they are still children in the hope that marriage will benefit
them both financially and socially. On the contrary, early marriage violates
the rights of children with often more negative consequences on the girls
than the boys. This compromises their overall development, leaving them
socially isolated with little or no education, skills and opportunities for
employment and self –realization. These conditions ultimately make married
girls more vulnerable to poverty. Young married girls are indeed a unique
group, coming under great pressure on a number of fronts. They are required
to do a disproportionate amount of domestic chores, which includes new
roles and responsibilities as wives and mothers. The young bride’s status in
the family is frequently dependent on her demonstrating her fertility-often
within the first year of her marriage at a time when she is not yet
physiologically, psychologically and emotionally prepared. Additionally,
girls are made to be responsible for the care and welfare of future
generations while still children themselves. Young mothers with no decision
making powers, restricted mobility and no economic resources are likely to
transmit this vulnerability to their off-springs. Therefore, early marriage
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directly compounds the ‘feminization of poverty’ and intergenerational

poverty (Saxena, Shobha, 1999). Several studies confirm wide age gaps
between younger married girls and their spouses. This age gap clearly
creates unequal power relationship between the younger brides and her older
and more experienced husband, resulting in husband having total control
over sexual relations and decision-making. Since younger brides are socially
conditioned not to question the authority of their husbands, they are often
unable to use contraception or to plan their families. The combined effect of
these factors may also make younger brides more likely to tolerate partner
violence.
While there is widespread agreement that early marriage, early
pregnancy and motherhood adversely affects general development and
education of girls and they are the links with poverty and wide consequences
on families and communities have not been adequately explored. This is
partly due to the ‘invisibility’ of younger married girl in most communities,
and the fact that marriage confers adult status to girls and boys (Bruce,
2002).
Yet, many societies, primarily in Africa and South Asia, continue to
support the idea that girls should marry at or soon after puberty. Their
spouses are likely to be a few years older than they are, but may be more
than twice their age. Parents and heads of families make marital choices for
daughters and sons with little regard for the personal implications. Rather,
they look upon marriage as a family-building strategy, an economic
arrangement or a way to protect girls from unwelcome sexual advances.
Meanwhile, tradition and culture endorse the concept of early
marriage, the 1999 Nigerian constitution is silent on the issue, although it
could be implied from the provisions of section 29 that parties to a marriage
must be of full age. Under subsection 29(4)(a), ‘any woman who is married
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shall be deemed to be of full age’. On the other hand, subsection (4)(a)

stated that ‘full age’ means the age of eighteen years and above.

Thus, in spite of that section of Nigerian constitution, early marriage still

poses a problem in most part of Nigeria, as in many other countries in Africa
and beyond. It is practiced and justified in the name of tradition, culture and
religion. That was why some people like the former governor of Zamfara
state, Alh. Ahmed Sani Yerima Bakura and Mmerole Ogha the husband of
Mgbeoye got married to a 13 and 9 year old girl respectively. Especially
vulnerable are young girls in rural areas, poor, and deprived communities.
This situation reflects the relatively strong adherence to tradition, and the
relative lack of opportunities affecting women in rural areas. In Nigeria in
general, and among Northerners (Hausas) in particular, early marriage dates
back to the formation of the society itself. In that part of the country, it is not
uncommon for girls below the age of 12 to get married, and it is going
beyond the expectation unlike in other parts of the country. The National
Baseline Survey of Positive and Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting
Women and Girls in Nigeria 1999 revealed that the aggregate mean age at
marriage for female children is 16.7 years. In the north-east the age is 15.2
years and in the north-west, 14.2 years. This is an indicator of the prevalence
of early marriage in Nigeria (Shehu, 2002).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite national laws and international agreements forbidding early

marriage, this phenomenon is still widespread in many developing countries
with a high prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, more particularly in Nigeria.
This paper intends to analyze that issue by emphasizing on this region of
Africa (Nigeria) using Uzo-uwani as a paradigm. According to UNICEF
 11

(2001), 40 per cent and 49 per cent of girls under 19 in central and West
Africa respectively are married compared to 27 per cent in east Africa and
20 percent in northern and southern Africa.

Throughout the world, marriage is regarded as a moment of celebration and

a milestone in adult life. Sadly, the practice of early marriage gives no such
cause for celebration. All too often, the imposition of a marriage partner
upon a child means that a girl’s or boy’s childhood is cut short and their
fundamental rights are compromised (UNICEF, 2001 and Lefevre, Quiroga
and Murply 2004). Young girls are robbed of their youth and required to
take on roles for which they are not psychologically or physically prepared
for. Many have no choice about the timing of marriage or their partner.
Some are coerced into marriage, while others are too young to make an
informed decision. Premature marriage deprives them of the opportunity for
personal development as well as their rights to full reproductive health and
wellbeing, education, and participation in civic life.

Literature identifies many interrelated factors almost similar

worldwide with small variations between societies that interact to place a
girl child at risk of early marriage. Those factors include among others,
search for economic survival, protection of young girls, peer group and
family pressure, controlling female behavior and sexuality, wars and civil
conflicts, maximization of fertility where infant mortality is very high (the
working group 2000; UNICEF 2001; Mathur et al. 2003).

Early marriage contributes to a series of negative consequences both

for young girls and the society in which they live. It is a violation of human
rights in general and of girl’s rights in particular. For both girls and boys,
early marriage has profound physical, intellectual, psychological and
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emotional impacts; cutting off educational and employment opportunities

and chances of personal growth. In this research work more emphasis is
given to girls as this is an issue that impacts upon them in far larger numbers
and with more intensity and consequences.

Besides, having a negative impact on girls themselves, the practice of early

marriage also has negative consequences on their children, families, and
society as a whole. UNICEF (2000) argues that it is not only girls that pay
for early marriage but also the society as a whole. Population pressure,
health care costs and lost opportunities of human development are just a few
of the growing burdens that society shoulders because of teenage
pregnancies. Early marriage also undermines international efforts to fight
against poverty in developing countries. Bunch (2005), makes it clear that
the widespread practice of child marriage makes it increasingly difficult for
families to escape poverty in the developing world, thereby undermining
critical international efforts to fight poverty, HIV/AIDS and other
development challenges, and making billions of dollars in development
assistance less effective. Among the problems of early marriage in Nigeria is
Vesico-Virginal Fistulae (VVF) which remains a serious reproductive health
problem for women of childbearing age in the developing world. It is one of
the most appealing misfortunes that a woman can face as a result of early
pregnancy and childbirth. High maternal mortality and morbidity is another
problem posed by early marriage. The world health organization estimates
that the risk of death following pregnancy is twice as great for women
between 15 and 19 years than for those between the ages of 20 and 24. The
maternal mortality rate can be up to five times higher for girls aged between
10 and 14 than for women of about twenty years of age
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This study should then seek to find answer to the following questions
on developmental implications of early marriage in Nigeria.

1.3 Research Questions

1. What are the reasons behind early marriage perpetuation in Uzo-uwani

local government area?

2. Does early marriage affect girls’ wellbeing and constitutes a violation on

their human rights in Uzo-uwani local government area?

3. Does early marriage hinders development in Uzo-uwani local government

area.

4. Does early marriage leads to poor development in Uzo-uwani local

government area.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

This research work is basically focused on developmental

implications of early marriage in Nigeria, therefore, at the end; it is expected
that we could be able to ascertain or proffer the causes and the
developmental implications of early marriage in Nigeria and to proffer
lasting solutions to minimize it.

Therefore, the specific objectives of this study are as follows:

1. To identify the reasons behind early marriage perpetuation in

Nigeria using Uzo-uwani local government as a paradigm.
2. To identify how it affect girls’ wellbeing and constitute a violation
of their human rights in Uzo-uwani local government area.
3. To investigate the consequences and developmental implications
of early marriage in Uzo-uwani local government area.
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4. To recommend ways of ameliorating the developmental

implications of early marriage in Uzo-uwani local government
area.
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1.4 Significance of the Study

The significance of this study cannot be overemphasized because this
invaluable research work will be of tremendous impact on existing
knowledge about developmental implications of early marriage in
Africa and Nigeria in particular.
Thus, the outcome of this work will portray a vivid idea of
peoples’ perceptions and impressions on early marriage in Nigeria. It
will also be of great importance to ideal administrators and
sociologists.
The lessons that will be learnt from this study will be helpful to
government in enacting and implementing policies and programmes
that will impede the menace of early marriage in the country.
Furthermore, the ideas in this work will help immensely in
implementation and meaningful decisions and policies on
developmental implications of early marriage as it affects girl child
and the entire society. On the other hand, the findings and
recommendations of this research work will help tremendously to
restore adequate dignity, rights and values of girl child in Nigeria
especially in Uzo-uwani local government council.
Last but not the least, this invaluable work will be of great
significance in the sense that people should know that early marriage
is not a solution to the search for economic survival, protection of
young girls, peer group and family pressure, controlling female
behavior and sexuality, and socio-cultural and religious values but it is
a violation of girl’s human rights as it deprives her of freedom,
opportunity for personal development, and other rights. This work
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will also be of academic, administrative and social assets to all

Nigerians.

1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study

The research work is expected to cover developmental implications of
early marriage in Uzo-uwani local government area.
This work covers the period of 1990 till date. It will touch some vital events
on early marriage which took place in Nigeria and in Uzo-uwani in
particular within the stated period.
The limitations of this work include the following:
1. Finance/fund: this was the greatest limitation or hindrance the
researcher encountered on the course of this work. A lot of fund was
needed to carry out this work perfectly, such as transport fare, lobbying
for interview, feeding, e.t.c as a student, it becomes very cumbersome.
2. Time: time cannot be over emphasized when talking of limitations of
this study because it was one of the major hindrances the researcher
faced during this study. Thus, this work is one of the courses/works or
activities that needed equal attention of the researcher. Furthermore, the
researcher being a regular student, he had the engagements to attend
such as reading, going to lectures, going for recreation and so many
other assignments that equally claim a substantial part of time available
to him. Yet it is not exaggeration to say that not less than 40% of his
available time was spent on this invaluable study.
3. Respondents: although the researcher got a good percentage of
responses to his interview or questions, it was not easy per say for him
to convince then (respondents) that the study is merely on academic
exercise due to the high level of illiteracy among the people of the area
in the sense that majority of their representatives/functionaries does not
 17

know the particular year the council was created talk more of knowing
the land mass and the population of the council and such recorded data.
Thus, in spite of the above limitations, the researcher could be able to
achieve his objectives by prioritizing this study to other of his activities
because of time, using of interpreters on respondents because of high rate of
illiteracy and effective and efficient use of the little resources in his
possession. Meanwhile data collection went smoothly in spite of the above
challenges, presumably because the interviewers were hired/recruited locally
and known to the respondents.
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CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW AND METHODOLOGY

2.1 Literature Review

In the literature review, attempt should be made to define early

marriage for better comprehension, to review the contest of early marriage in
Africa, early marriage as a developmental challenge and the key issues
surrounding early marriage (consequences).

2.1.1 What is Early Marriage?

The term “early marriage” is used to refer to both formal marriages

and informal unions in which a girl lives with a partner as if married before
age of 18 (UNICEF 2005; forum on marriage and the rights of women and
girls 2001). For UNIFPA (2006) early marriage, also known as Child
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 laws. In a 1989 study by world health organization, it was
found that in Bangladish, 25 per cent of 14 years old girls were married, in
Napal, 35 per cent of 15 years girls were married. The same study shows
that in Southeast Asia, 24 per cent, in Africa, 44 per cent, and in Latin
America, 16 per cent of women under 18 years were married (WHO, 1989).
In some parts of the world, parents’ pressure on young girls to do so is held
as the major explanation for the early marriage (TAG1, 1995: Cook, 1994).
Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 1990) shows that half of
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all women in Nigeria were married by age of 17, while the median age at
early marriage varied from one region to another.

Wallchant (1990) shows that women in Africa tend to marry at a very

young age, as early as 12 or 13 years in some areas, for many reasons.
Meanwhile, urban woman who got married before the age of 18 appears to
have more children than their rural counterpart whereas the reverse is the
case for other ages of marriage (Bababola, 1992).

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination

Against Women (CEDAW), the most comprehensive international bill of
rights for women, stated that any betrothal or marriage of a child should not
have any legal status. The committee that monitors this convention stated
further in General Recommendation 21 (Article 16(2)) that the minimum age
for marriage for both male and female should be 18 years, the age when
“they have attained full maturity and capacity to act”. Most early marriages
are arranged and based on the consent of parents and often fail to ensure the
best interests of the girl child. Early marriages often include some elements
of force, (Otoo-oyortey and (Pobi 2003).

The lack of an overarching definition of early marriage in

international conventions has generated some debates. Some scholars and
activists, argue that instead of looking for a universal age at which girls and
boys should not marry, the focus should be put instead on eliminating the
unwanted effects of early marriage (women’s human rights resources,
http://www.law-lib.utoronto.ca/diana/index.htm).

For example, some commentators suggested that a universal age of

marriage is not appropriate, in part because societies have different
understanding of what it means to be a child as well as different socio-
 20

economic and cultural realities. Bunting (1999) proposes that governments

should be allowed to set the age of marriage below 18 years of age, but that
the onus is on them to demonstrate that this lower age does not result in any
discrimination or adverse consequences for women.

2.1.2 Context of Early Marriage in Africa

While more women are now marrying at later ages, in many regions, early
marriage remains the norm. Overall, 20-50 percent of women in developing
countries are married before the age of 18, with the highest percentages in
sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (Singh and Samara, 1996 cited by
Lefevre et al. 2004).

Early motherhood has been the subject of a growing number of

studies, research projects and intervention programs in Africa. African
women in general marry at a much earlier age than their non- African
counterparts, leading to early pregnancies. Surveys carried out in some
Sahelian countries offer alarming examples. In northern states of Nigeria, for
example, according to the 1992 Health and Demographic Survey (HDS),
47% of women aged between 20 and 24 were married before the age of 15
and 87% before the age of 18. A total of 53% had also had a child before the
age of 18, (Locoh Therese, 2000).

2.1.3. Early marriage as a developmental challenge

Early marriage stands in direct conflict with the objectives of the

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), (Mathur, 2003). It threatens the
achievement of the first six goals respectively, eradicating extreme poverty
and hunger, achieving universal primarily education, promoting gender
 21

equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving

maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, (UN
2007). When the relationship between age at marriage and development is
examined, it becomes clear that later marriage is a precondition for the
attainment of desired development related goals. These can include
completion of school, acquisition of training for employment, and attainment
of the skills and information related to the roles of citizen, family member,
and consumer that are part of a successful adulthood, (Mathur, 2003 and
UNICEF, 2003).

In many countries child marriage is linked with poverty. This is

because it affects particularly the poorest in the population, and helps to
reinforce cycles of poverty. Early marriage is associated with high fertility.
However, one reason for a poverty trap is a demographic trap, when
impoverished families choose to have lots of children. According to Sachs
(2005), high fertility rates in one generation, therefore, tend to lead to
impoverished of the children and high fertility in the following generation as
well.

Women are at the heart of many societies. Regardless of whether they

are working or not, mothers are very influential people in children’s lives.
According to DFID (2005), educating girls is one of the most important
investments that a country can make in its own future. Education has a
profound effect on girls and women’s ability to claim other rights and
achieve status in society, such as economic independence and political
representation. Having an education can make an enormous difference to
woman’s chances of finding well paid, raising a health family and
preventing the spread of diseases such as HIV and AIDS.
 22

UNICEF (1994) argues that it is not only the girls that pay for early
marriage but that society also pays. Population pressure, health care costs
and lost opportunities of human development are just a few of the growing
burdens that society shoulders because of early marriage. Girls’ education is
one of the means to address poverty and developmental problems. With
education girls are given the chance to choose their own futures and not one
chosen by their parents and guardians.

Malhotra and Mather (1997) argue that there is a close link between
delayed marriage and adult earnings. Women’s economic future and their
ability to participation in and contribute to the global economy are primarily
dependent on a rise in educational attainment, but this is impossible when
the girl married early. Women who marry at early age are likely to find the
sole focus of their lives, at the expense of development in other areas such as
formal education, and training for employment, work experience and
personal growth. Early marriage can, therefore, be a significant barrier for
communities seeking to raise education levels and break the cycle of
poverty.

2.2 key issues surrounding early marriage (consequences)

They tend to be a relationship between age of marriage, level of

education, poverty, and health: poorer, less educated girls tend to marry
earlier and tend also to have poorer health. The following consequences tend
to flow from early marriage:
 23

2.2.1 Health and Related Outcomes

Early child bearing and unwanted pregnancies: young girls who get married
will most likely be forced into having sexual intercourse with their, usually
much older, husbands. This has severe negative health consequences as the
girl is often not psychologically, physically and sexually mature.

Early marriage is associated with early child bearing. Young married

girls are under tremendous pressure to prove their fertility in the first year of
marriage. Girls, who marry young, inevitably have children early, and have
many children, because their knowledge of contraception is poor and their
power to negotiate its use is weak.

Domestic violence and sexual abuse: as young girls are often married
to men who are much older than themselves, the age difference tends to
reinforce the powerlessness of the girl, who is thus at greater risk of abuse
and less likely to assert herself. Young married girls are more likely to be
beaten or threatened and more likely to believe that a husband might
sometimes be justified in beating his wife. Women who believe that are
more likely to have been married before age 18 than those who believe that
there is never justification. Child brides are often more susceptible to
domestic violence. (USAID Gender Assessment, 2003-2005).

In Egypt, data indicates that 29% of married adolescents were beaten

by their spouses—or their spouses and others. Of these, 41% were beaten
when they were pregnant. (Population Council, 2000 cited by ICRW, 2008).

High maternal mortality and morbidity: the world health organization

estimates that the risk of death following pregnancy is twice as great for
women between 15 and 19 years than for those between the ages of 20 and
 24

24. The maternal mortality rate can be up to five times higher for girls aged
between 10 and 14 than for women of about twenty years of age. Pregnant
adolescents face far more health problems than older women, particularly
single girls who often receive less prenatal care (WHO report, 2009).

Adolescents are far more susceptible to suffering from anemia than adults,
which greatly increase the risk and complications linked to pregnancy. They
are equally more at risk of malnutrition, high blood pressure linked to
pregnancy and eclampsia than women who are over 20, (Women's
International Network 2000 and IHEU 2006).

Increased Risk of Contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases and

HIV/AIDS: fear of HIV infection, for example, has encouraged men in some
African countries to seek young virgin – and therefore uninfected –partners.
On top of pregnancy-related complications, young married girls are also at
high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. Young
married girls are even at higher risk because their older husbands may
already be infected in previous sexual relationships.

Furthermore, the age difference between the girl and the husband and
her low economic status make it almost impossible for the girl to negotiate
safe sex or demand fidelity. Early marriage usually means that young girls
enter marriage without adequate information about critical sexual
intercourse, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and
childbirth.

2.2.2 Lack of Power

It is hypothesized that women who are married as children have less

decision making power than women whose marriage is delayed until
 25

adulthood. They don’t have ability to make decision on their own health
care, contraception, household budget, daily household purchases, visit to
family and friends etc, (UNICEF, 1996). They have little power in relation
to their husbands and in-laws.

2.2.3 Divorce or Abandonment and Early Widowhood

Some desperate girls and women who have been forced into marriage
try to run away or take other avenues to leave their spouses; others are
abandoned by their spouses. However, the girls and women are usually left
with the responsibility of raising children without the husband or family's
financial support, thus making them more likely to live in poverty. In many
cultures, husbands are often many years older than their young brides, and
consequently die while the girl is still young. Traditionally, girls were not
allowed to remarry or were passed onto their dead husbands’ brothers.
Furthermore, the girl’s families are unlikely to accept her back once she has
become widowed, (UNICEF, 2001). In cultures that permit polygamy, the
youngest co-wife is required to care for elder co-wives. This relationship is
sometimes a daughter/mother relationship, but in many cases the elder wives
view the younger with bitterness and resentment.

2.2.4 Consequences for Children

The health problems linked to early marriage not only affect the
pregnant mother and the fetus, but also continue after child birth. The
consequences reach beyond the lives of young married girls themselves to
the next generation. The immaturity and lack of education of a young mother
undermines her capacity for nurture evidence shows that infant mortality
among the children of very young mothers is higher – sometimes two times
higher – than among those of older peers, (UNICEF, 2001).
 26

2.2.5 Reinforcement of Gender Stereotypes and Roles

The lack of other opportunities and the powerlessness that often

accompanies early marriage combine to perpetuate the gender roles of girls
and women and reinforces cultural traditions that support early marriage as a
desirable practice.

2.2 Hypotheses

This paper will test the following hypothesizes:

1. Economic survival (poverty), socio-cultural and religious norms, civil

conflict, value for virginity and fear of extramarital sexual activities
are the reasons behind early marriage perpetuation in Nigeria.

2. Early marriage affects girls’ wellbeing and constitutes a violation on

their human rights in Uzo-uwani local government area.

3. Early marriage hinders development in Uzo-uwani local government

area.

4. Early marriage leads to poor development in Uzo-uwani local

government area.

2.3 Operationalization of Key Concept

2.3.1 Marriage

Microsoft Encarta 2009 defines ‘marriage’ as the following:

1. Legal relationship between spouses: a legal recognizes relationship,

established by civil or religious ceremony between two people who intended
to live together as sexual and domestic partners.
 27

2. Specific marriage relationship: a married relationship between two people,

or a somebody’s relationship with his or her spouse.

3. Joining in wedlock: the joining together in wedlock of two people.

4. Marriage ceremony: the ceremony in which two people are joined

together formally in wedlock.

2.3.2 Early: it is defined as follows:

1. before the expected or arranged time.

2. at or near the beginning of a period of time, process, or sequence of

event.

3. during first stage: at a time when something was not far advanced or
developed or when somebody was at a comparatively young age.

4. Soon: without delay or before long (Microsoft Encarta 2009).

2.3.3 Development: it involves progression, movement, and advance

towards something better. It is improvement on the material and non-
material aspects of life and it involves action, reaction and motion (Onah and
Okoli, 2010). It is also an incident that causes a situation to change or
progress and the process of changing and becoming larger, stronger, or
more impressive, successful, or advanced or of casing or somebody or
something to change in that way.

2.3.4 Implication: it is an indirect suggestion; something that is implied

or involved as a result or natural consequences of something else. To me, it
is a negative consequences or repercussion (i.e unintended outcome of an
action) that comes out of something else.
 28

2.3.5 Nigeria is a country in West Africa, on the gulf of guinea, south of

Niger. It became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in
1960. They speak English as their general language despite over 250 ethnic
groups and languages. Her population is over 138, 28,240 (2008 estimate),
and has estimated area of 923,768 sq kn/mitre. Abuja is her capital while
their currency is naira. Her official name is Federal Republic of Nigeria.

2.4. Research Methodology

This section entails the description of the procedure employed in

carrying out this research work with respect to the following: design of the
study, area of the study, population of the study, sample and sampling
technique, instrumentation for data collection, data gathering instrument and
method of data analysis.

2.4.1 Design of the Study

The design of the study was a survey research method. According to

Nwogu (1991) survey research is one in which a group of people or items
are considered to be representative of the entire population.

2.4.2 Area of the Study

Since this study has its focus on the developmental implications of

early marriage in Nigeria, the researcher found it worthy to carryout the
research in Uzo-uwani local government council. Uzo-uwani is one of the
local governments in the country, created by the then former military head of
state, General Olusegun Obasanjo in the year 1976. It has its capital at
Umulokpa. Read more about Uzo-uwani local government under
background of the study in chapter three.
 29

2.4.3 Population of the Study

The population of this study comprised selected males and females

from four development centres in Uzo-uwani local government area out of
four hundred and eighty thousand (480,000) people in Uzo-uwani local
government area according to 2006 National Population Commission.

2.4.4 Sample and Sampling Procedure

The researcher used simple random sampling procedure to get the size
from the total population or universe.

According to 2006 National Population Commission, Uzo-uwani local

government has approximate population of four hundred and eighty
thousand (480,000). However, in determining the sample size of the study,
the researcher drew the population from the four local government
development centres by selecting the total number of five hundred and fifty
respondents.

The total numbers of respondents were 550 selected from the

development centres in the council for proper investigation by using of
systematic sampling technique.

The elected respondents from each of the development centres are in the
table below.
 30

Table 1: Sample Distribution

S/n Development centres Number of respondents

1 Igbo-ano zone 200

2 Ogboli zone 150

3 Mbanano zone 100

4 Nkpologu zone 100

Total 550

Source: research data 2011.

2.4.5. Data Gathering Instruments

The data gathering instruments used in this invaluable research involves a

rigorous process and they are as follows:

1. Primary , and
2. Secondary instruments.
Primary data: this will entail the interview to selected staff, and indigenes
of Uzo-uwani local government council on the developmental implication of
early marriage. The interview (oral/written) will be granted mainly on the
selected group for flexibility and simplicity to elicit adequate and expected
information from the respondents.

Secondary data: this will be collected through a content analysis of

documents and text books covering early marriage.
 31

2.4.6 Procedure for Data Collection

The researcher traveled to the various remote selected communities on
the schedule dates of their meetings. Meanwhile, the questionnaires were
administered after a brief introduction to the people about the research and
the aims and mission of the study.

The response was collected at the same venue by the researcher and
those hired/trained interviewer and all the questionnaires shared were
collected in its numbers.

2.4.7 Validation of Measuring Instrumentation

According to Odo (1992), “validity is the process of finding out the

degree to which a researcher test or indeed measures what is purports to
measure”.

The purpose of the exercise is to identify whether the developed

instruments or items used really agreed with the contents of the research
questions and where they did not completely probe the ramification of the
study or where the concept are not well understood, the researcher have to
modify such before carrying out the main/final study.

However, the researcher deliberately laid the pilot survey method to

establish the validity of the instruments used. Runkel et al, Borg et al and
Babies (1987), defined and x-ray pilot survey techniques as the process of
trying out the entire aspect of the study including analyzing of data
following closely the procedure planned for the main study before the
launching the main study.
 32

2.4.8 Reliability of the Measuring Instruments

Reliability of instruments in this study took off using the same

measuring objects at different period of time receiving the same or similar
result.

According to Kerlinger (1977), reliability of an instrument is a

process of obtaining information on the same object at different times or
under different condition on a consistent, dependable table, predictable and
accurate way.

However, the researcher applied test and re-test technique in carrying

out the operation of reliability establishment. Thus, the constructed
questionnaires were distributed to same selected respondents from
development centres in Uzo-uwani local government council because they
have the same features with the pilot sample group and the main sample of
the study.

2.4.9 Instrument Return Rate

The returned instruments were so great in the sense that the researcher
could be able to collect almost all of his instruments from each respondent
without much hindrance. People of Uzo-uwani local government area are so
much cooperative. The total numbers of questionnaires shared were 550.
The table below shows the instruments return rate.
 33

Table 2 Instruments return rate

Number Frequency Percentage

Number returned 550 100

Number not returned 0 0

Number discarded 0 0

Total number shared 550 100

Source: research data 2011

Out of 550 questionnaires distributed to those selected respondents in

Uzo-uwani local government council, 550 were also returned by the
researcher and his hired interviewers, which show that none of the
instruments were not returned nor discarded.

2.4.10 Method of Data Analysis

The researcher collected and recorded the responses from the

questionnaire and for the analysis to data. The researcher used simple
percentage mean score % = f/n where % = percentage.

F = frequency of respondents

N= total number of respondents

Therefore, the means, score can be calculated using the formula means

(x) = ∑ x/n
 34

2.5 Theoretical Framework

From the view of theories, it is realized that the economic theories and
models which seems to dominate explanations of demographic situations
are, in this case, insufficient in explaining early marriage trends and
differences across generations/society. They emphasize economic rationality
and fail to reorganize the implications of other intermediate variables.

Thus, the sociological theory of multiphasis change and response

propounded by Davis (1963) is selected to guide this study. The theory was
developed from an earlier analytical framework proposed in 1956 by Davis
and Blake. In it, they identified eleven intermediate variables, which they
grouped under three broad categories. These are the intercourse, conception
and gestation variables. Here the intercourse variables are primary and the
age of entry into marriage union becomes very important as this holds
important implications for other sets of variables.

The theory recognizes the role of age in marriage in determining the

level of development and fertility in the society. Along with this also are the
relevance of culture and environment. The theory therefore, holds that
change in economical, social status and residential patterns, that is from
urban to rural for instance, will bring change in fertility and choice of
marriage, which can be achieved through manipulations in early marriage
(under age in marriage). It is also suggested that people from different socio-
cultural backgrounds will differ in their disposition towards social change
and attitudes to early marriage. For instance, some cultures or groups might
view early marriage/teenage marriage union as bad while others recommend
it, and vice versa.
 35

The present study aims at understanding the developmental

implications of early marriage among different generations of people and the
society at large. Applying this theory will help to understand the
developmental implications of early marriage in Uzo-uwani and proffers
solutions. It will also help to explain other cultural and environmental
factors that may contribute to early marriage of different generations of early
married persons in Uzo-uwani local government area.
 36

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Background Information on the Study Area

3.1.1 Background information on Uzo-uwani local government area of

Enugu state of Nigeria.
What are known as local government areas today pre-existed before
Nigeria’s political independence of 1960. Prior to independence, local
administration was styled as county and district councils, which were piloted
by county and district heads. In 1976, it was thought that a significant
recasting of local administration would pander creditably to the federal
posture of Nigeria. Hence, the local government reform of 1976 cradled
what we today call local government councils; thus, labeling them the third
tier system of government in Nigeria. Currently, Nigeria has seven hundred
and seventy-four (774) local government councils.

Uzo-uwani local government area is one of the local government areas

comprised Enugu state; it was created out of Enugu north senatorial
(Nsukka) zone with Umulokpa as it’s headquarter in the year 1976 under
Murtala/Obasanjo military regime. This local government has, right from its
creation, sailed under the chairmanship/administration of a good number of
politicians. At present, Hon. James .I. Ademu is at the driver’s seat as the
chairman of the council. The local government is located at the northern part
of the state, having common boundaries with Omo in Ayamelum local
government area of Anambra state, at the east, Nneokwa in Kogi state at the
south, Nsukka at the west and Udi at the north. According to 2006 National
Population Commission, Uzo-uwani local government has approximate
population of four hundred and eighty thousand (480,000).
 37

Uzo-uwani local government area is comprised of four (4) geopolitical zones

now elevated as development council area (D.C.A) viz:

1. Mbanano zone (Mbanano Development Council Area)

2. Nkpologu zone (Adada Development Council Area)
3. Nimbo zone (Igboano Development Council Area)
4. Ogboli zone (Ogboli Development Council Area)
Thus, Uzo-uwani local government area is made up of seventeen (17)
communities; they are as follows:

Table 3. Communities in Uzo-uwani local government council

Zones Communities Communities Communities Communities

Mbanano Umulokpa Ukpata Nkwume Adaba

zone:

Adada zone: Nkpologu Akpugo Uvuru Nkpunato

Nimbo Ugbene ajima Nimbo Abbi Nrobo Ezikolo

zone:

Ogboli Adani Ogurugu Asaba Iggah Ojor

zone:

Source: voyage, 2010.

 38

Politically, Uzo-uwani local government area is made up of sixteen

(16) wards; Igboano zone has six (6), Adada zone three (3), Mbanano zone
three (3) and Ogboli zone four (4) wards.

The people of the area are largely made up of farmers and fishermen.
That is to ascertain that Uzo-uwani local government area is the ‘food
basket’ of the state but her poverty index as at 2008 is 76.6% what a mess!
They are mainly known for producing of rice (Adaa rice), yam, cassava,
groundnut, coco yam, and maize to mention but a few.

Commonsensically, Uzo-uwani local government area being one of

the oldest local governments in southeastern states is also the poorest in
terms of public amenities and infrastructural development. The general
language of Uzo-uwani local government is Igbo though there are some
other languages such as Iggala, Idoma etc.

The table bellow shows the appointed and elected administrators and
chairmen of the council from 1979 till date.

Table 4. Names of political office holders and their zones

S/N Name of political Geopolitical Office/position Year

office holders zones

1 Chief Vincent Mbanano Chairman (appointed) 1979-80

Nwarieji

2 Chief E.O Eze Nimbo Chairman (appointed) 1980-82

3 Chief Barr. Ben Ogboli Chairman (appointed) 1982-83

Agbata

4 Chief Dan. Ogbobe Nkpologu Chairman (elected) 1986-90

 39

5 Arch. Paul Ezeh Nkpologu Chairman (elected) 1990-93

6 Chief Igbonekwu Mbanano Chairman (appointed) 1993-95

Ekweme

7 Chief barr. Ben Ogboli Chairman (elected) 1995-96

Agbata

8 Chief Anthony Nkpologu Chairman (elected) 1997-98

Chigbo

9 Hon. D.N.K Okweli Nimbo Chairman (elected) 1999-02

10 Hon. Richard Ogboli Care-taker chairman 2002-03

Egwuma

11 Hon. D.N.K Okweli Nimbo Chairman (elected) 2003-07

12 Hon. Thaddeus Nimbo Care-taker chairman 2007-08

Ogbobe

13 Hon. James .I. Ogboli Chairman (elected) 2008-till

Ademu date

Unfortunately, Uzo-uwani local government area being one of the oldest

local governments in southeast have been suffering and marginalizing by
both state and federal, even by her representatives because of corruption.
Thus, Uzo-uwani local government council like every other local
governments in Nigeria despite her endowed human and natural resources is
still struggling to escape the wrath of the absence of the following:

1. Educational facilities and personnel

2. Adequate health-care facilities and services
 40

3. Good road networks

4. Mechanized agricultural equipments
5. Rural electrification
6. Pipe bore water to mention but a few.
However, it was argued that the problem of local government is lack of
adequate resources transfer to local government to finance their expenditures
and responsibilities, other argue that over dependence of local government
on federal and state government has undermined local accountability and
created perverse incentives at local level to misallocate public resources
(Otobe, 2009). Thus, I agreed with the above arguments on why local
governments perform lesser beyond expectation; but high level of illiteracy
in the local government more especially on the side of their representatives
and women contributed immensely for the poor performance of the council.
On the other hand, in Uzo-uwani per se, one could be able to ascertain that
child marriage contributed largely in the poor development of the area
because it (early marriage) is the arch cause of illiteracy in the council. Early
marriage is intrinsically linked to low levels of education, high levels of
violence and abuse, social isolation, severe health risks and harmful power
dynamics and results in increased gender inequality and vulnerability to
poverty for girls and boys, young women, families and the society as a
whole (Eze, 2007). Meanwhile, UNICEF (1994) argues that it is not only the
girls that pay for early marriage but that society also pays.
 41

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND FINDINGS

4.2 Data Presentation

This chapter embodies the result of the study. It has t do with the
presentation, analysis and interpretation of data collected by the researcher.

However, the data collected were analyzed in percentage and

presented in a tabular form before comment on them is made.

Section A of the Research Question

The characteristic of research question is analyzed in the table below using

descriptive percentages.

Table 4.1.1 Gender Distribution of Respondents

Category Frequency Percentage

Male 250 45.5

Female 300 54.5

Total 550 100

Source: Research Data 2011

The table above indicates that out of the 550 respondent, 250 (45.5%)
were males while 300 (54.5%) were females.

Furthermore, in the process of data analysis, the researcher distributed

the question and collected information from all categories of ages. This was
done in order to corroborate both the old and the young. Therefore, table
 42

4.1.2 Shows the Ages Distribution of Respondents.

Table 4.1.2 Ages Distribution of Respondents

Age bracket Frequency Percentage

12 – 17 200 34.3

18 and above 350 63.7

Total 550 100

Source: Research Data 2011

The data analyzed above shows the ages of the respondent began from
12- 17 and 18 – above. Those who are the respondent between the ages of 12
– 17 were 200 (34.3%) while those between 18 and above were 350
(63.7%). From the above table, it is shown that those who fall between the
ages of 18 and above account for the largest number of respondents.

Table 4.13 Marital Status of Respondents

Category Frequency Percentage

Married 300 54.5

Divorced 150 27.3

Single 100 18.2

Total 550 100

Source: Research Data 201

The data in table above indicates that 300 (54.5%) of respondents

were married, 150 (27.3) were divorced while 100 (18.2%) were singe.
 43

Thus, from the table, it is observed that married people were majority of the
respondents followed by divorcee and then single.

Table 4.2.4 Occupational Distribution of Respondents

Categories Frequency Percentage

Farming 300 54.5

Trading 100 18.2

Civil servant 100 18.2

Student 50 9.1

Total 550 100

Source: Research Data 2011

The response n the table above shows that a total number of 300 were
farmers while civil servants and traders were200 (18.2) respectively and then
50 for students. Generally, the table indicates that the majority of
respondents were farmers

Table 4.1.5 Distribution of Ages before Marriage of Respondents

Category Frequency Percentage

12 – 17 200 36.4

18 and above 350 63.6

Total 550 100

Source: Research Data 2011

 44

The data distributed in the above table indicates that the total number
of 200 were married before the age of 18 while 350 (63.6%) were married
from the age of 8 and above.

Section B of the Questionnaire

Question 6: is early marriage a developmental challenge in Uzo-uwani

local government area?

Table 4..6 Distribution of respondents on whether early marriage is a

developmental challenge in the council.

Option Frequency Percentage

Yes 500 91

No 50 9.0

Total 550 100

Source: Research Data 2011

From the data analyzed in the above table, it shows that 500 (91%) of
respondents were of the opinion that early marriage is a developmental
challenge in Uzo-uwani while only 50 (9.0) were against. Thus, according to
the majority of respondent, early marriage is a developmental challenge in
the council.

Question 7 How does early marriage affect girls’ wellbeing and

constitutes a violation on their human rights?
 45

Table 4.1.7 Distribution of Responses on how does early marriage

affect girls’ wellbeing and constitutes a violation on their human rights.

Option Frequency Percentage

Very great 270 49.1

Great 200 36.4

Fairly great 80 14.5

No effect at all 0 0

Total 550 100

Source: Research Data 2011

The above table shows that 270 respondents were of the opinion that
early marriage affect girls’ wellbeing and constitutes a violation on their
human rights in the council very great and 200 says great while 80 says
fairly great and then none for no effect at all. From the table above, one can
say that early marriage affect girls’ wellbeing and constitutes a violation on
their human rights.

Question 8: How does early marriage affect development in Uzo-uwani

local government?
 46

Table 4.1.8 Distribution of Respondents on how does early marriage

affect development in the council.
Option Frequency Percentage

Very great 270 49.1

Great 200 36.4

Fairly great 80 14.5

No effect 0

Total 550 100

Source: Research Data 2011

The above table shows that 270 respondents were of the opinion that
early marriage affect development in Uzo-uwani very great and 200 says
great while 80 says fairly great and then none for no effect at all. From the
table above, one can say that early marriage affect development in the
council.

Question 9 Do you think that enactment of laws regulating early marriage,

girls’ education and sensitization using mass media will help minimize early
marriage in Uzo-uwani?

Table 4.2.9 Distribution of respondents on if enactment of laws

regulating early marriage, girls’ education and sensitization using mass
media will help minimize early marriage in the council.
Option Frequency Percentage
Yes 550 100
No 0 0
Total 550 100
Source: Research Data 2011
 47

The above table shows that the entire 550 respondent believes that
enactment of laws regulating early marriage, girls’ education and
sensitization using mass media will help minimize early marriage in Uzo-
uwani while none of the respondents says no to the question. Thus, from the
above table, one can understand that enactment of laws regulating marriage,
compulsory girls’ education and sensitization using media will help to
reduce the menace of early marriage in the society as whole.

Question 10 Do you agree that culture, religion and economic survival are
the causes of early marriage in Uzo-Uwani?

Table 4.1.10 Distribution of respondents on if culture, religion and

economic survival are the causes of early marriage in the council.

Option Frequency Percentage

Strongly agreed 420 76.5

Agreed 80 14.5

Disagreed

Undecided 50 9.0

Total 550 100

Source: Research Data 2011

The above table shows that the majority of the respondents i.e 450
(76.5) strongly agreed that culture, religion and economic survival are the
causes of early marriage in Uzo-uwai while 80 agreed with the above
question, 50 and none for undecided and disagreed respectively.
 48

Therefore, from the table above, one can now ascertained that culture,
religion and economic survival are the major causes of early marriage in
Uzo-uwani.

Question 11 To what extent is developmental implication of early marriage

in Uzo-uwani local government area?
Table 4.1.11 Distribution of Respondents on what extent is
developmental implication of early marriage in the council.
Option Frequency Percentage

Very great 400 72.8

Great 125 22.7

Fairly great 0 0

Don’t know 25 4.5

Total 550 100

Source: Research Data 2011

The above table indicates that the majority of the respondents i.e 400
(72.8%) strongly agreed that developmental implication of early marriage in
Uzo-uwani local government area is very great while 125 says great.
Moreover, 25 (4.5%) says don’t know while none answered fairly great.

Thus, from the above table, one can vividly understand that
developmental implication of early marriage is on Uzo-uwani greatly no
matter how the actors or perpetrators may put the act.
 49

4.3 Summary of the Findings

The summary of the major findings of the research shows that:

• Majority of respondents in the different local government

development centres in Uzo-uwani were females as portrayed table
4.1.1.

• The finding also shows that those who fall between the ages of 18 and
above account for the largest number of respondents.

• That married people were majority of the respondents followed by

divorcee and then single.

• The finding also shows that the majority of respondents were farmers.

• The majority of respondent, early marriage is a developmental

challenge in the council.

• Early marriage affects girls’ wellbeing and constitutes a violation on

their human rights.

• The finding also shows that early marriage affect development in the
council.

• Enactment of laws regulating marriage, compulsory girls’ education

and sensitization using media will help to reduce the menace of early
marriage in the society as whole.

• Culture, religion and economic survival are the major causes of early
marriage in Uzo-uwai.

• Developmental implication of early marriage affects Uzo-uwani

greatly no matter how the actors or perpetrators may put the act.
 50

4.4 Discussion of Findings

Based on the summaries of the data so far analyzed, brief discussion

will be made in some findings on the extent to which early marriage affect
the development of Uzo-uwani local government area.

From the findings as shown in table 4.1.6 of the analysis, there is

evidence that early marriage is a serious developmental challenge in Uzo-
uwani local government area.

Thus, the findings shows that earl marriage is a developmental

challenge and it affects Uzo-uwani very greatly more especially on the sides
of the female folk because it affect their wellbeing and constitutes a
violation on their human rights such as the right to education, take decision
concerning themselves, to participate in decision making in the family e.t.c.

Furthermore, the finding on the ways to curtail the menace of early

marriage shows that the enactment of laws guiding marriage, girls’
education and sensitization using mass media will help immensely. Thus, if
there are laws enshrined in the constitution with appropriate agency or
agencies to enforce them adequately, I don’t think that this menace of early
marriage will continue.

Last but not the list, the finding on the reasons behind early marriage
perpetuation in Nigeria using Uzo-uwani local government area as a
paradigm, shows that economic survival, culture and tradition, religion, and
controlling of female sexual behavior are the major causes of early marriage
in Uzo-uwani. Therefore, one can now understand that people enjoy the
practices to fulfill the laws of the land, religious obligations, and to prevent
their children from extramarital sexual activities and sexual transmitted
diseases.
 51

Finally, the major or arch cause of early marriage in Uzo-uwani local

government area is the quest for economic survival i.e abject poverty; they

give out their child younger for marriage just for material resources to make

both ends meet. Thus, enactment of laws guiding marriage, girls’ education

and sensitization using mass media will help to ameliorate the numerous

severe consequences resulting from the practice of early marriage because

early marriage is intrinsically linked to low levels of education, high levels

of violence and abuse, social isolation, severe health risks and harmful

power dynamics and results in increased gender inequality and vulnerability

to poverty for girls, young women, families and the society as a whole. This

practice also threatens the local governments’ development efforts to fight

against poverty and related challenges in their areas.

 52

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Summary

This study has raised some pertinent issues which our various systems
of government and individuals must address adequately in order to cope or
curtail the developmental implications of early marriage on girls’ child and
the society as whole. For instance, it has touched on the agonizing problems
which limit development and wellbeing of our girls in Nigeria using Uzo-
uwani a study area.

Thus, numerous severe consequences result from the practice of early

marriage was also identified. Early marriage is intrinsically linked to low
levels of education, high levels of violence and abuse, social isolation,
severe health risks and harmful power dynamics and results in increased
gender inequality and vulnerability to poverty for girls, young women,
families and the society as a whole. This practice also threatens the
international development effort to fight against poverty and related
challenges in developing countries.

5.2 Recommendations

The discussion in this study so far has revealed some key facts about
early marriage and its developmental implications in the society especially
in Nigeria. Thus, below are the stated recommendations from the researcher:

• Promoting education of girls: educating girls seems to be the ideal

solution since, if sufficiently prolonged; it helps to delay age of
marriage, and confers other benefits as well. However, sending
children to school costs money and where money is scarce, it is
 53

unlikely to be spent on girls. In addition, due attention ought to be

paid to the provisions of section 18(1) of the 1999 constitution, Article
28 of the CRC, and article 11 of the African Charter on the Rights and
Welfare of the Child, all of which guarantee every child a right to free
and compulsory basic education.

• Government should establish skill acquisition centres in case where

the girls cannot benefit from formal education; they must be trained in
different skills, according to their choice and the state of the market.

• Enactment of laws regulating marriage in the country will be of

tremendous help in the fight against early marriage because almost the
majority of perpetrators are practicing it (early marriage) under the
influence of ignorance. Making laws and sensitizing the public on the
effects of earl marriage on girls’ child and the entire society will bring
it (early marriage) to an end. Thus, governments should enact laws on
early marriage based on the following:

Long -term policies that select to change paternalistic

institutions and that may end women’s economic
dependency on men.

Policies to correct occupational segregation, gender

inequality and feminization of poverty e.t.c.

• Time to time sensitization is needed. NGOs, CBOs, governments e.t.c

should campaign aggressively and raise awareness using mass media
about early marriage. Sensitization on developmental implications of
early marriage from time to time will increase women’s status and
power within the family and community. In other words, social
attitudes must be changed on early marriage.
 54

• Furthermore, government should try as much as possible to provide

the basic social infrastructures/amenities for the masses to help them
in the area of means of livelihood in order to reduce poverty which is
the major cause of early marriage and to introduce a rural
development program which will help in transformation of the
communities.

• Finally, all hands should be on deck to make sure that early marriage
could be reduced if not eradicated in the society because it is not only
girls’ child that suffers the implications but the society at large.

5.3 Conclusion

This paper has shown that child marriage is an accepted cultural

practice in many countries especially in developing countries with more
prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. It is still widely sanctioned, even though it
is a violation of the human rights of young girls due to various motives.
Early marriage can violate the rights of girls and boys, both in this
generation and the next but this is an issue that impacts upon girls in far
larger numbers and with more intensity. More emphasis has been given to
girls as the experience for boys is, less likely to be exploitative or physically
harmful as it is for girls. The imposition of a marriage partner on children or
adolescents who are in no way ready for married life, and whose marriage
will deprive them of freedom, opportunity for personal development, and
other rights including health and well-being, education, and participation in
civic life, nullifies the meaning of the convention on the rights of the child’s
core protections for those concerned.

To trickle this challenging phenomenon, a joint effort to formulate

and implement policies and strategies is needed. Actions to fulfill or restore
 55

the rights of those already married should go hand in hand with preventive
actions to insure that all of the interventions are available to married, as well
as to unmarried girls.

Providing economic opportunities to young girls: poverty is one of the

major factors underpinning early marriage. Efforts to improve the access of
young married and non married girls to economic resources should focus on
expanding employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Micro-credit
programs provide women and girls with the basic economic opportunities
they often lack and a social support network that promotes changes in
attitudes and behavior. It serves as a means of granting them higher status
and more control over their lives – including their options in marriage
(Kabeer 2005 and Umashankar 2006).

Some of Key International and Regional Rights Instruments Relating

to Child Marriage:

• Convention on the Rights of the Child

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
• The Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage
and Registration of Marriages (1964)
• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination of
Women (1979)
• The United Nations Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of
Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institution and Practices Similar to
Slavery (1956):
• Plan of Action for the Elimination of Harmful Traditional Practices
Affecting the Health of Women and Children
• The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights
• The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990)
e.t.c.

UNIFPA (2006) cites the three key international agreements that

provide added standards for governments in realizing reproductive health
 56

and rights. Those are the 1994 International Conference on Population and
Development; the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women; and the 2001
and 2006 United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on
HIV/AIDS. These landmark agreements promote human rights, gender
equality and empowerment as critical to the overall development and well-
being of women, girls and young women.
 57

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