Child marriage occurs when the girl or girl or both spouses are below the age of 18 years. While boys are also affected, the practice predominantly impact girls. And also be can be formal or informal (cohabitation) before age 18. While the causes for early marriages are multiple and complex, often economic considerations are primary for the families, followed closely by observance of cultural and religious traditions. Early marriage is an important factor in the so-called cycle of poverty
It is against this background that the Greater Accra Regional Department of Gender under the Ministry of gender, Children and Social Protection, with support from the UNFPA and the Canadian Government organized community engagement sessions to prevent child marriage at Laterbiokorshie (Ablekuma Central) on 22nd June, 2023 and at Pokuase (Ga North) on 26th June,2023 respectively.
These dialogue sessions seek to create awareness on what child marriage is, and it effects on the victims; to sensitize stakeholders on the legal framework on child marriage and available supports services for victims.; and to sensitize stakeholders on their role in preventing child marriage. Participants consisted of Okada riders, Assembly Members, Unit Committee Members and staff of the two Assemblies. In all a total of 231 participants (188 men and 43 women) were engaged. During the engagement, parents were made aware of their responsibility to give their children quality education and provide for their needs. Child marriage is not necessarily a formal union but it can also be an informal union like cohabitation. This is where girl is asked to move in with the man or the man’s parents because she is pregnant. There are consequences to perpetuators of the Child marriage.It corrupts the child of her childhood. Teenage girls who marry have higher risks of experiencing domestic violence STIs and sexual abuse as a result of the age gap between the girls and their husbands