Differentials in girl-child marriage and high fertility in Nigeria.

In a patriarchal and natural fertility society like Nigeria, girl-child marriage is synonymous with early sexual debut and a prolonged childbearing period, ultimately affecting fertility outcomes and behaviours. This study explored the differentials in child marriage in Nigeria across socio-economic and regional groups, and its association with fertility. The study analysed secondary data pertaining to women aged 15-49 who were currently or previously married from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. About 54 percent of Nigerian women married before their eighteenth birthday. The prevalence of child marriage was high in the rural areas (61 percent), in the North West (78 percent) and the North East (70 percent) of Nigeria. Child-brides have higher fertility than women who entered marital life as adults (TFR 6.8 vs 5.9). The early entry into marriage by most women in Nigeria has a profound influence on overall fertility, given that an overwhelming majority of births in Nigeria take place within marriage. Through advocacy and social mobilization, families, communities, and religious leaders will understand the hazards of child marriage and their role and responsibility in eradicating it and empowering the girl-child through formal education.

Early marriage and women's empowerment: the case of child-brides in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Women, especially those who marry as children, experience various forms and degrees of exclusion and discrimination. Early marriage is a harmful traditional practice that continues to affect millions around the world. Though it has declined over the years, it is still pervasive in developing countries. In Ethiopia, Amhara National Regional State (or alternatively Amhara region) hosts the largest share of child-brides in the country. This study aimed at assessing the effects of early marriage on its survivors' life conditions - specifically, empowerment and household decision-making - in western Amhara. METHODS: This study employed community-based cross-sectional study design. It adopted mixed method approach - survey, in-depth interview and focus group discussion (FGD) - to collect, analyse and interpret data on early marriage and its effects on household decision-making processes. The survey covered 1278 randomly selected respondents, and 14FGDs and 6 in-depth interviews were conducted. Statistical procedures - frequency distribution, Chi-square, logistic regression - were used to test, compare and establish associations between survey results on women empowerment for two groups of married women based on age at first marriage i.e., below 18 and at/after 18. Narratives and analytical descriptions were integrated to substantiate and/or explain observed quantitative results, or generate contextual themes. RESULTS: This study reported that women married at/after 18 were more involved in household decision-making processes than child-brides. Child-brides were more likely to experience various forms of spousal abuse and violence in married life. The study results illustrated how individual-level changes, mainly driven by age at first marriage, interplay with structural factors to define the changing status and roles of married women in the household and community. CONCLUSION: Age at first marriage significantly affected empowerment at household level, and women benefited significantly from delaying marriage. Increase in age did not automatically and unilaterally empowered women in marriage, however, since age entails a cultural definition of one's position in society and its institutions. We recommend further research to focus on the nexus between the household and the social-structural forms that manifest at individual and community levels, and draw insights to promote women's wellbeing and emancipation.

Predictors of marital adjustment among child brides.

The researchers aim was to examine the predictors of marital adjustment among child brides in Turkey. The sample included 246 women who were between 18 and 49 years of age, got married while under the age of 18, not divorced, who spoke Turkish or Kurdish, by using convenience sampling method. We used a marital adjustment scale and a survey form to collect data. Our findings indicated that marital adjustment was low among child brides. The factors affecting women's marital adjustment were duration and types of the marriage, number of pregnancies and physical violence. The incidence of physical violence was inversely correlated with the scores of marital adjustment of women, while the women's age, education, income level, number of living children, age, and the education level of their partner was not correlated. The results of this study would be useful for nurses, midwives, social workers, and counselors who assist women who are facing domestic violence.

Evaluation of child marriage in a Turkish sample: 8 years' data.

This study aims to examine 167 adolescents who were referred by courts between 2008 and 2016 to prepare medical-legal reports on their suitability for marriage. Most were illiterate or graduates of primary/secondary school; only 17 (10.2%) were still at high school. A total of 95 girls (56.9%) had a religious marriage without a civil certificate, 63 girls (37.7%) were pregnant, and 15 (9%) had a child. According to medical reports, 91 of the girls were considered unsuitable for marriage; 76 girls who were pregnant and/or had a child were also considered unsuitable, so it was necessary to let the judge decide.