In Nigeria, Section 13, of the violence against persons(prohibition) Act 2015 (VAPP ACT) clearly criminalizes and declares forced marriage as a harmful traditional practice.
WHAT IS FORCED MARRIAGE?
Forced marriages are marriages conducted without the valid consent of both parties, where physical or emotional coercion is a factor. In 2017, the international labor organization designated forced marriages as a form of modern slavery.
Under forced marriages, we have Child Marriages and Arranged Marriages.
Child Marriages are marriages in which one or both partners are under the age of 18 and are forced or arranged by parents or family members without the consent of the child.
Arranged Marriages are an alliance or contract between two families who select a partner for their adult children who in turn find it difficult to reject their parent’s choices. Most times, these alliances between families serve to safeguard and control property rights, inheritance, wealth transfers, etc.
Forced Marriages is a lead factor in domestic violence against women as minor girls and young adult women are overwhelming victims of forced marriages which can lead to increased vulnerability to abuses including; coerced sexual initiation, marital rape, suppression of sexual orientation or gender identity, interrupted education, domestic violence by husbands and in-laws, reproductive coercion resulting to early or multiple pregnancies and femicide.
Again, Child and Forced Marriages are a violation of virtually all human rights. It deprives women and girls of the autonomy and choice over their bodies and their lives. Girls forced into early marriages are exposed to early pregnancies which is detrimental to their health because their bodies are not ready.
According to UN estimates, about 700 million girls worldwide are married before they reach adulthood. By 2030, if the practice continues at the current rate, this number will grow to as many as 950 million says, Veronica Birga, chief of human rights and gender section.
In conclusion, marriage is a union between two consenting adults; an adult should not be under duress just to consent to marriage. A child should not be forced into a marriage just because the consent of parents has been obtained as required under the Marriage Act (section 18). A child is not capable of consenting to marriage and consent from parents as valid consent, should be discouraged. Also, note that in the court of law marriage is considered void without the consent of both parties.
If you know a friend or family that is under pressure or duress of being forcefully married or is married and experiencing domestic violence as a result, please call or reach out to Precious Rubies e-legal Foundation by calling +2349093179591 and +2348101412384 or send an email to foundation@elegalonline.com.
