‘Child marriage violates human rights’
Ghana is fast losing part of its future human resource to increasing child marriages, which has been identified as a gross violation of human rights.
Advertisement
According to the former Vice Chairman of the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Rights of Children, Dr Agnes Aidoo, victims of child marriages were often deprived of requisite education, the foundation to a resourceful adult life.
That, she said, undermined their human and skills development which they needed to sustain themselves in adulthood and contribute to socio-economic development.
Ending child marriages
Dr Aidoo was addressing editors at a Media Dialogue on ending child marriages in Ghana.
The dialogue was organised by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as part of its three-year initiative at ending child marriages in Ghana.
The occasion was graced by a Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs Della Sowah; a representative of UNICEF, Ms Annalis Caparello; editors of various media houses among other stakeholders.
According to a brief note issued at the dialogue, various surveys, including the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and statistics from the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service have established an increasing trend in child marriages.
According to the 2010 population and housing census, Ghana’s population is predominantly a youthful one with more than 50 per cent aged between 15 and 25.
Various surveys
The various surveys established that about 22 per cent of that population got married before age 18.
The surveys described child marriage as a major national problem requiring a multifaceted approach.
These statistics showed that most of the cases were not being reported to relevant authorities, leaving child marriages a deliberately concealed practice.
It had also been observed that the few reported cases to the police were settled out of court, which was unlawful.
Research points to the fact that poorer and less educated women and girls were most vulnerable to early and forced marriages.
These girls face higher risks of death in childbirth, malnutrition, hazardous work, the worst forms of child labour among other risks.
Dr Aidoo attributed the increasing trend of child marriages to poverty, gender-based cultural practices and traditions which placed low value on girl-child development.
She also mentioned other causes to include the fear of families being stigmatised, resulting in giving out pregnant girls into forced marriages with those who impregnated them.
It is against that backdrop that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and UNICEF-Ghana in September began a three-year initiative focused on ending child marriages in Ghana.
National strategic framework
The initiative aims to establish a national strategic framework and co-ordinating mechanisms for eliminating the incidence of child marriages and its attendant consequences, including teenage pregnancy and maternal mortality.
It also aims to increase preventive action by traditional leaders, religious bodies, families and communities and also increase public responsiveness to issues of child marriages through communication for social change.
Stakeholders, including UNICEF, have called on the media as agents of change to be more proactive in supporting the fight against child marriages.
Advertisement