Sudan, a landlocked country in North Africa, recently announced much-awaited news that the government would focus on more strategic ways to end the practice of child marriage and FGM by 2030. This announcement was made by the Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Ayaa Benjamin Warille.
This practice of child marriage has been an extended part of the culture of South Sudan. With a shockingly low marriage age of girls of just ten years, there has been a lot of cause of concern. There is no separate legal framework, but this follows the Sudan Personal Status of Muslims, 1994.
Causes of Concern
Although in recent years, the practice of marrying girl children with elderly has significantly reduced. It is still a cause of concern for the youth.
32% of all girls are married before they reach 18 years. Around 12% of the girls are married off before they turn 15 in Sudan. Child marriage is most common in South and East Darfur (56%), Central Darfur (55%), the Blue Nile (50%), and Gadarif (49%).
Despite supporting UN human rights council resolutions to end child marriage, Sudan has, till now, due to multiple reasons, resisted the legal age to be moved to 18. In the recent announcement, there has been an emphasis on adopting all African charter articles on the child's rights and welfare, 1999.
According to the UN, FGM is a common practice holding prevalence in 87% of Sudanese women. FGM is the removal of the female external genitalia, either partially or totally, for non-medical reasons. These girls are usually cut between ages 5 to 14.
In the recent wake, the responsibility to enforce the ban has been transferred to the police officers. Since FGM is illegal now, the person who enforces such an act can see a full three years of jail time if found guilty of such practices.
Reasons
Unfortunately, child marriage is common globally, with more than 700 million women and girls present today were married before the age of 18. Poverty has been figured out to be one of the main driving forces for this practice.
It also depends on the region, with Central and North Africa being at the top with four in 10 girls married before 18. South Asia follows this by being the second on the list.
In Sudan, there are few reasons which make this ugly practice continue. With lesser gender equality and girls being considered inferior to boys, more reasons make this all even more pronounced.
1. Poverty
Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world. While there is a rising income, 47% of the population still lives below the poverty line. Challenging climate conditions, lack of natural resources coupled with internal conflicts and political instability make it inclined to poverty.
According to UNICEF, 54% of women from these poorest households were married off before the age of 18. This is in comparison with only 19% in the wealthiest households.
The practice of negotiating mahr (payment of money and gifts by a groom) for exchange of the girl's hands in marriage still happens today.
2. Level of Education
Education is a significant factor in reducing such practices in Sudan and even the rest of the world. The only issue is that there are bad things associated with completing education, where a girl is often stigmatized as agir (infertile) or bayra (not demanded for marriage).
Only 3% of the women who completed higher education, compared to 55% of the women who received no education, were married before 18. There is little value placed in educating a girl child when she is often perceived as the homemaker to support her family.
3. Tradition
This practice has a lot to do with the traditional culture of Sudan. The tribal leaders believe in reinforcing the belief that girls should become mothers. At the same time, they are young because they have more fertility and a social concept of smoothly turning them obedience at such an age.
Some families marry off their daughters when they reach puberty to control the "developing sexual urges" period and do away with it. In fact, in many communities, a girl is seen as ready to marry at ten because she has reached tamyeez (maturity).
Sudan is also a traditional country, and religion plays an important role here. With 90-97% of the country's population belonging to Islam, this practice of child marriage is deeply rooted from there.
UN 16 Days of Activism
As part of the UN 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign in Sudan, El Kandaka humanitarian aid organization was at the forefront.
Written by – Srishti Purohit
Edited by – Sandhya R
2. Level of Education
Education is a significant factor in reducing such practices in Sudan and even the rest of the world. The only issue is that there are bad things associated with completing education, where a girl is often stigmatized as agir (infertile) or bayra (not demanded for marriage).
Only 3% of the women who completed higher education, compared to 55% of the women who received no education, were married before 18. There is little value placed in educating a girl child when she is often perceived as the homemaker to support her family.
3. Tradition
This practice has a lot to do with the traditional culture of Sudan. The tribal leaders believe in reinforcing the belief that girls should become mothers. At the same time, they are young because they have more fertility and a social concept of smoothly turning them obedience at such an age.
Some families marry off their daughters when they reach puberty to control the "developing sexual urges" period and do away with it. In fact, in many communities, a girl is seen as ready to marry at ten because she has reached tamyeez (maturity).
Sudan is also a traditional country, and religion plays an important role here. With 90-97% of the country's population belonging to Islam, this practice of child marriage is deeply rooted from there.
UN 16 Days of Activism
As part of the UN 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign in Sudan, El Kandaka humanitarian aid organization was at the forefront.
The director of which, Dr. Asma Abakar, called for "solidarity" and "cohesion" against the fight of gender-based violence in Kadugli, capital of South Kordofan, Sudan.
She explained that women's involvement is needed more on the national front. This generation needs to have a feministic ideology, and she hopes that such events stimulate that kind of excitement towards it.
UN 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is an annual international campaign that starts from 25th November, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends till 10th December, Human Rights Day.
The task to eliminate such practices by 2030 is a major one and will be a pivotal one in determining Sudan's future. It might be late, but a much needed one, and very well welcomed.
She explained that women's involvement is needed more on the national front. This generation needs to have a feministic ideology, and she hopes that such events stimulate that kind of excitement towards it.
UN 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is an annual international campaign that starts from 25th November, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends till 10th December, Human Rights Day.
The task to eliminate such practices by 2030 is a major one and will be a pivotal one in determining Sudan's future. It might be late, but a much needed one, and very well welcomed.
Written by – Srishti Purohit
Edited by – Sandhya R
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