Child marriage remains a serious human rights violation, posing significant risks to children, families, and society at large. It hinders education, economic growth, and overall well-being. Despite efforts to eliminate the practice, it persists in several African countries, affecting both girls and, to a lesser extent, boys.
While some nations have taken legal steps to ban child marriage, others still allow it due to legal loopholes, cultural traditions, and religious interpretations. Here are some African countries where child marriage is still permitted:
1. Nigeria
Nigeria has one of the highest rates of child marriage in Africa, even though the Child Rights Act prohibits marriage before the age of 18. However, inconsistencies in the legal system allow the practice to continue. The Nigerian constitution recognizes Islamic law in certain states, where girls as young as 12 can legally marry. This conflict between federal law and religious practices leaves many young girls vulnerable to early marriage.
2. Sudan
In Sudan, child marriage remains widespread, with 12% of girls married before 15 and 34% before 18. The country’s strict interpretation of Sharia law allows both boys and girls to marry as young as 10 years old. Social pressures, including the fear of premarital sex bringing shame to families, also drive the practice.
3. Niger
Niger holds the highest child marriage rate in the world, with 76% of women aged 20–24 having married before turning 18. Shockingly, 28% of girls are married by the age of 15. While the practice mostly affects girls, some boys also enter early marriages—6% of boys marry before 18, according to the DHS Niger-MICS 2012 survey.
4. Somalia
Somalia ranks among the top ten countries globally for child marriage, with approximately 45% of girls married before 18. Many parents see early marriage as a way to protect their daughters from sexual violence, which is a major concern during daily commutes to and from school. Additionally, religious leaders often support child marriage, making it difficult to enforce laws against it.
5. Mali
Mali has the fifth highest rate of child marriage globally. A 2018 study by the Institut National de la Statistique found that 53% of women aged 20–49 were married before turning 18. The situation is especially alarming for younger girls, with 15% of girls aged 15–19 married by 15. In contrast, only 3% of men in the same age range are married, with no recorded cases of boys marrying before 15.
Conclusion
To protect children from the devastating effects of early marriage, governments must take firm legal action. Countries like Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa have already criminalized child marriage, setting an example for others to follow. Stronger enforcement, better education opportunities, and community awareness campaigns are essential in eliminating this harmful practice.
Childhood should be a time for growth, learning, and development—not marriage. Ending child marriage is not just a legal necessity but a moral obligation.