Child marriages result in domestic violence, maternal deaths – Surgeon

Ini Billie, Uyo

Girls who marry early are prone to domestic violence and the perpetuation of an intergenerational cycle of poverty.

Dr Praise Matemavi, Associate Professor and Abdominal Transplant Surgeon, University of Mississippi Medical Centre, United States of America, who stated this on Friday in Uyo, said child marriages result in more girls dropping out of schools and more maternal deaths.

Delivering a keynote address during the 5th Sam Momah Lecture and the commissioning of Sam Momah Reading Room and Conference at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Dr Matemavi said about 30 per cent of girls in Nigeria are married before their 18th birthday.

She stated that child marriage was detrimental to the family, community and nation at large, as the future income of the girl child is increased by 10 to 20 per cent every year she stays in school.

According to her, educating girls and having them stay in school longer means they are less likely to get married young, have children young, and face the complications of being a young parent. Additionally, she noted that education enables girls to innovate and uplift their communities and their nation.

“Sub-Saharan Africa is second in terms of the highest rates of child brides after South Asia. Here in the beautiful land of Nigeria, about 30 per cent of girls are married before their 18th birthday, and nearly one in five are married before they turn 15, which seems like a huge number.

“The 30 per cent, which is but seeing the work that your government and you, the stakeholders, have put in to curb those numbers, it’s pretty incredible because a few years ago that number was at 43 per cent.

“So there’s a lot of work that has been done that is being done to remedy this problem, and it is getting better, but we can do even better.

“What child marriages mean is that more girls drop out of school, there are more maternal deaths, and these are young girls, there is more poverty, and they are more likely to be in situations of domestic violence and an endless intergenerational cycle of poverty.

“This is detrimental not only to the family but to the community and frankly to the nation. We say educated girls empower a nation, and that’s not just a slogan. Every year that a girl stays in school, her future income is increased by 10 to 20 per cent.

“Educating girls and having girls stay in school longer means that they are less likely to get married young, they are less likely to have children young, they are less likely to face those complications that they are facing as young parents, they are more likely to lead to innovation and to uplift their communities and their nations,” she stated.

While speaking, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, said the Child Rights laws passed by the State House of Assembly are being strictly enforced.

Obareki, who was represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Ms Emem Ibanga, said over 200 abuse and exploitation cases have been prosecuted in various courts in the state since May 2023.

She called for a shift from advocacy for the girl child to awareness and action, compassion to commitment, and talk to transformation.

“When we invest in girls, we are not doing charity, we are executing a sustainable strategy for peace, progress and prosperity. Through the office of the first lady and in alignment with the ARISE agenda, Akwa Ibom state is already taking more steps to create a future where every girl can thrive.

“Over 800 orphans and vulnerable children are cared for in the state-run orphanages. Child’s rights law is fully enforced with more than 200 abuse and exploitation cases prosecuted in the family courts since May 2023.

“Child hawking and child labour are strictly banned during school hours. Children’s Day and African Child Day are celebrated annually to give children a voice. Children’s Parliament has been established in all 31 local government areas, nurturing a generation of civic-minded leaders.

“We must create ecosystems, not just interventions. We must tackle period poverty, ensure access to digital skills, protect against abuse, and build platforms for girls to lead, speak, and innovate.

“Let us make sure no girl drops out because of her period. Let us build schools where girls are safe from harassment and inspired to dream. Let us support inclusive policies that place girls at the centre of local, national and international development. Let us not just be present, let us be accountable,” she stated.

On his part, Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo and Chairman of the event, Prof Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, eulogised the virtue of late Dr. Sam Momah and appealed to the board of trustees of the foundation to sustain the good work.