EARLY MARRIAGES PRESENTED BY BBAALE TIMOTHY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAVE THE YOUTH’S BLOOD

Early marriage refers to both formal marriages and informal unions in which a girl lives with a partner as if married before age of 18

Poverty, gender inequality, cultural customs and traditions, lack of education and economic opportunities, and lack of access to sexual reproductive health (SRH) information and services have been identified as contributing factors to the prevalence of child marriage and teenage pregnancy (CSO, 2014).

Early Marriages are associated with various disadvantages as follows:

Lack of compromising abilities in either of the partners.

Untimely pregnancy and its risks. Most women, due to repeated miscarriages and abortions, become infertile. However, it is not the same for all women.

Education tends to take a back seat for couples planning to marry early as the focus shifts to areas such as financial stability and family planning.

In case of early marriages that are arranged, sexual relations can be strenuous. Among others

Early marriages can be prevented through using the following ways

1) Empower girls with information, skills and support networks;

2) Provide economic support and incentives to girls and their families

3) Educate and rally parents and community members

4) Enhance girls’ access to a high-quality education; and

5) Encourage supportive laws and policies.

In order for the next generation of development programs to make ending child marriage a priority,

Ending child marriage is the key to keeping girls in education and creating a brighter future to the girl child in Africa / Globally - message from Save the youth’s blood Foundation