The orphan marriage saga in Niger State (2)

Child marriage remains a pervasive issue in Niger, with one in four women aged 25-29 having been married before the age of 15.

Despite this, the median age at first marriage has seen a slight increase from 15.8 to 16.6 years, partly due to campaigns and policies aimed at reducing child marriage and delaying pregnancies (OHCHR) (World Bank Blogs). The Adolescent Girls’ Initiative and the National Strategic Plan to End Child Marriage are crucial components of this effort.

Furthermore, access to quality healthcare remains a challenge for women and girls in Niger State, with limited infrastructure and resources, contributing to poor maternal and reproductive health outcomes. High rates of maternal mortality, particularly in rural areas, reflect the systemic neglect of women’s healthcare needs. Additionally, the prevalence of child marriage, exacerbated by the orphan marriage saga, increases the risk of early pregnancy and childbirth, further endangering the health and well-being of young girls.

Access to healthcare, particularly reproductive health services, remains limited. The maternal mortality rate is high, with only 39.1% of births attended by skilled health personnel (UN Women Data Hub). Reforms have been introduced to allow married adolescent girls access to family planning services without requiring parental or spousal accompaniment.

Economic empowerment and livelihood opportunities are also limited for the benefits of citizens. Women in Niger State continue to face economic marginalisation, with limited access to employment opportunities and financial resources. Cultural norms and traditional roles often confine women to domestic duties, limiting their ability to participate fully in the economy.

A major issue is violence against women and girls. Gender-based violence remains pervasive in Niger State, with women and girls disproportionately affected by various forms of abuse, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

The 100 orphan marriage saga sheds light on the intersection of gender-based violence and child marriage, exposing the vulnerability of orphaned girls to exploitation and coercion. Yet in 2021, the state has passed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, this is supposed to support the protection of citizens, there are other steps that have been taken by previous government.

Gender transformational intervention

The 100 orphan marriage saga serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing women and girls in Nigeria as a whole, particularly from northern Nigeria, and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action to advance gender equality and protect their rights. By addressing systemic barriers to education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and safety, Niger State can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society where women and girls can thrive.

We need to beam more light on the implementation of the Child Rights Act, Niger State has made significant strides by adopting the Act in 2010 but lacks political will to implement it and other child protection laws. The child right law creates a framework to safeguard children from abuse, exploitation, and harmful traditional practices, ensuring their rights to education, health, and overall well-being are upheld. This Act sets the legal marriage age at 18 to protect children from early and forced marriages, which are seen as detrimental to their health, education, and overall well-being .

The adoption of progressive policies and strong people-centered leadership with active community participation is crucial for sustaining and advancing the rights of women and girls in Niger State. These efforts can go a long way in contributing to a broader movement towards gender equality and the protection of children’s rights across Nigeria. Activists and federal authorities argue that the practice in Niger violates the Child Rights Law of the state.

Several young girls are being married off, making these narratives to reveal a pattern of coercion, not being mindful of the significant emotional and physical toll on the girls involved. Most centres for Vesico Virginal Fistula (VVF) are full of young under aged girls contributing to maternal mortality in the country.

The issue of child marriage is a complex interplay of religious beliefs, cultural practices, and socio-economic realities. While religious leaders defend the practice as culturally and religiously appropriate, federal authorities and activists continue to challenge it based on legal and human rights grounds. Effective resolution requires nuanced understanding and dialogue that respects cultural contexts while safeguarding the rights and welfare of children.

There is also the issue that the orphans are not only girls or under aged, there are widows amongst them, yet something seems very clear that the government is not taking care of its marginalised and vulnerable. I am sure women and girls that became vulnerable as a result of conflict and other crises are everywhere. There is a need for deliberate intervention from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in particular in women affairs, health and social welfare.

Equitably, it should be the priority of government to protect and provide support, after all, the conflicts and crises were not by any means the women and girls making, you can, therefore, not be condemned to life of abject poverty for being unlucky to be at conflict zones. The situation is worse in the North east, some parts of North central and different other locations in Nigeria where there has been one crisis or the other in the past. Yet we vote money for humanitarian and defence issues yearly, making the funds open to corruption and misuse because of lack of concrete plan to put it into good use for the populace in need.

Our social network needs to be strengthened to reduce these forms of vulnerability. The country should overhaul and review its so-called social register for the vulnerable and prioritise conflict zones for support. Government accountability, failure and consequences on the life of women and girls :

The failure of government authorities to effectively address the root causes of child marriage and gender-based violence has dire consequences for the lives and well-being of women and girls. Inadequate law enforcement, corruption, and impunity further exacerbate the vulnerability of marginalised populations, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

The consequences of these government’s failures are profound. Women and girls in Niger State face higher risks of health complications, limited educational and economic opportunities, and continued exposure to violence and abuse. These issues not only affect their immediate well-being but also have long-term implications for the region’s socio-economic development. Without significant improvements in governance and accountability, the cycle of poverty and inequality is likely to persist, further marginalising these vulnerable populations.

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including stronger enforcement of existing laws, increased investment in health and education, and comprehensive programmes to empower women economically. Collaboration with international organisations and local communities is also essential to drive meaningful change and ensure that the rights and needs of women and girls are prioritised and protected.

Conclusion
The recent orphan marriage saga in Niger State serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for Nigeria to fulfill its obligations under CEDAW and uphold the rights of women and girls. By addressing the root causes of gender inequality and implementing comprehensive legal and social reforms, Nigeria can work towards creating a just and equitable society for all its citizens.

Beyond the court cases, the Niger situation is a reflection of the negotiations taking place in most places where there are insurgency, banditry, herders and farmers attack and other negative vices. Government cannot continue to look the other way, when women and girls become collateral damage for offences caused by state inability to protect or fulfill the expectation as expressed by the constitution and international norms.
Concluded.
Akiyode-Afolabi (PhD) is the Director of the Center for Human Rights, University of Lagos.