Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), an Abuja-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) says that child marriage is a gross violation of human rights.

Ms. May Ikokwu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the group said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ikokwu said that child marriage increases poverty, causes obstetric fistula, and aids in spreading diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

She called for an end to child marriage, saying it was inimical to societal development.

“Child marriage is a human rights violation that prevents girls from acquiring education, enjoying optimal health, bonding with others their own age, maturing, and ultimately choosing their own life partners.

“Child marriage is driven by poverty and has many effects on the girls’ health, increases the risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), cervical cancer, malaria, death during childbirth, and obstetric fistula,’’ she said.

Ikokwu said girls were at increased risk of premature birth and death as neonates, infants, or children.

She advocated stronger political will by the government at all levels to devise policies that would stamp out the menace through education, empowerment of women as well as mass awareness and sensitization.

“To stop child marriage, policies and programmes must educate communities, raise awareness, engage local and religious leaders, involve parents, and empower girls through education and employment.

“Besides policies put in place by the government to end the early marriage, there must be an enabling environment to end poverty among parents by ensuring the security of lives

“People should be able to go about their business of farming or trading without fear or risk to their lives, parents should be given soft loans while teaching them how to manage money,’’ Ikokwu said.

According to her, the economy of a country cannot grow in a state of insecurity.

The SOHI CEO said that child marriage was also one of the causes of maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, obstetric fistula, and reproductive health issues in developing nations.

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Newsmen report that child marriage, defined as the marriage of a child less than 18 years of age, is an ancient worldwide custom that limits the potential of the girl-child.

Child marriages occur most frequently in Southern Asia, where 48 percent of women aged 15 to 24 were married off before the age of 18, which represents 42 percent for Africa and 29 percent for Latin America and the Caribbean.