AN EXAMINATION OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF CHILD MARRIAGE ON THE CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53704/jnq2xm36Keywords:
Abuse, Child, Legal Instrument, Marriage, Girl-childAbstract
Child marriage is an ancient tradition that entails introducing a child below the age of 18years into marital union. Like in many other nations of the world, incidences of child marriage is very prevalent in many societies in Nigeria. This development has caused many children who were victims of such experiences from having their full development. The aim of this study is to examine the factors responsible for continuous incidences of child marriage in Nigerian and its debilitating effects on the development of the child.The study adopted doctrinal methodology of research and put to use primary and secondary sources of research. The primary sources include legislations and case law; and the secondary sources are textbooks, journal articles and internet materials. The study found that child marriage is still prevalent in Nigeria despite several legal instruments that have been passed to discourage the practice. The study also found that the extant legal regime has not been effective to this anomaly which has had debilitating effect on the development of the girl-child. The study concluded if the trend of girl-child marriage is not curtailed, it would prevent the girl-child from developing to attain her optimal development. The study recommended that there is the need to promulgate clear legislations that will provide for 18 years as the age of marriage in Nigeria and which will assist to address inconsistence in the provisions of laws relating to marriage. The study also recommended that institutional, governmental and non-governmental bodies charged with the duties of combating child marriage should be subjected to constant investigation to ensure they perform their functions.
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