CHILD MARRIAGE: WHAT WE ARE FORGETTING

     

    There's no easy way to say this. Nigeria has become a laughing stock among other nations. With pressing issues like Boko Haram and national security, socio-economic development, poverty and power issues, giving away our underage daughters out for marriage should be the least of our problems. In fact, it should not even be a topic for discussion.

       Just a while ago, the Nigerian government blatantly said NO to same sex marriage but now they're saying YES to abuse and rape of teenagers? If I had a 13 year old, she would be in school studying and learning so she would have a better future and not on the bed of some old pervert. We have a law saying that 18 years is the right age to vote therefore someone below that age is not old enough to make a decision, right? So why give your 13 year old daughter out for marriage? These laws are becoming ridiculous by the day. We need education and enlightenment of our teenagers and not this!

      Imagine your 13 year old daughter getting married and giving birth. Imagine the unbearable pain she would go through while trying to push out a baby. Do they even think of the complications that could come up during childbirth? It could even lead to death of both the child and the mother or in this case, both children. Yes some would survive, but how would they raise a child when they too are still growing up?

       These silly laws are just avenues to legalising what these senators do when no one is watching. They are hiding behind religion and customs and destroying a nation that already needs help. I believe that together we can stand up to these laws and to this government and give our daughters and sisters the right to decide, the right to choose, the right to live and the right to enjoy their youth.