Child Marriage & Early Pregnancy
At the end of this session participants will understand that:
1. Child marriage has deep cultural roots and is a very sensitive subject which if mishandled can bring further harm to children.
2. Children as young as 10 are married off without understanding what is happening to them, manipulated by their family for bride price.
3. Because talking freely about sex is taboo, many teenagers know nothing about sex or how babies are conceived, and are traumatised.
4. They are married off because of resources at home for a bride price, therefore they are a used as a commodity.
5. For their husbands family they are free labour and abused sexually at the will of the husband, who is often their fathers age.
5. There is a high risk of such early pregnancy as they may be permanently damaged in child birth, with damaged bladder, ‘fistula’, which makes them in continent for the rest of their lives, with pain every time they urinate.
6. They are often returned to their family in this condition and are stigmatised as ‘fistula’ is seen as an act of ‘Gods punishment.’
7. They never complete their schooling and have no chance of breaking away from dependency
8.Child marriage is against the law in most countries but conflicts with traditional laws and religions, therefore it is condoned by many societies, which practice it secretly.
How to use the card set in the Community
Making a Story
Give out the pictures to the group and ask them to make a drama using the the pictures. This will enable you to know more about certain cultural aspects of the community, and give them the chance to show some of the issues surrounding Early child marriage and pregnancy.
It is critical that this is followed by a good discussion about that practices are common in the area, and explore the questions above. If necessary split the group into male and female group so as to discuss.
Make sure to complete the session with some clear plans as to how the Community health Club can assist in some way.
Download the .pdf layout from link above ‘Materials’
Print each picture on A4 paper.
Fold each paper in half and laminate.
Print out one page Facilitator Guide.
These visual Aids are provided under Creative Commons license whereby you may use them on condition that you agree not to remove the Africa AHEAD logo or accreditation
If you want to add your own logo please contact the course supervisor.
Any alterations or additions can only be done by Africa AHEAD Association
Child Marriage & Early Pregnancy | |
|
|
1 | My daughter was doing well at secondary school |
2 | When she got her first period I told my friend |
3 | Her brother went drinking with my husband |
4 | He agreed he wanted to marry our daughter |
5 | My daughter would have to leave school |
6 | The boys teased her for being a child bride |
7 | She stayed home whilst her brother went to school |
8 | Her husband took her away to his house |
9 | Soon she was pregnant but she was too young |
10 | She was damaged in childbirth and sent back to us |
11 | We have many children and we are very poor |
12 | She helped to collect firewood |
13 | She just stayed at home with no prospects for work |
14 | I am so sad for her as she was so clever. |
DISCUSSION
1. Is child marriage legal in your country?
2. Does child marriage occur in your country. If so to what extent?
3. Do you have any first hand experience of children who have been married as teenagers?
4. How does early marriage impact on their lives?
5. How can we break the vicious cycle of mothers replicating their own experience in their daughters life?
6. How can a Community Health Club help support children to understand about sex and early pregnancy.
7. What will you undertake to do in your Community Health Club about this serious misuse of the girl child through ignorance.
Click, download and print the following documents