CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to study
Child marriage is an issue which has raised so many public outbursts and has caused a lot of controversies. It is an issue which comes with a great deal of motions.
Child marriage is tied to a number of factors including religion, traditions and customs. Child marriage usually refers to two phenomena which are practical in some societies. The first is and most common is that of a female young child being give out in marriage to a man. The second practice is a form of arranged marriage in which parents of two children from different families arranged future marriage without seeking the consent of the parties’ involved.[1]
The sufferings faced by victims of child marriage are the physical pain associated with sexual intercourse due to the physiological immaturity of the sexual organs. Physical pain during intercourse, obstetric fistula due to youth delivery, when girls are not physically matured and other complications may arise due to pregnancy. Also lack of education; portraying the lower value placed which in turn denies girl their right and in turn stifles their ability to play an equal role at home and in the communities.