ShyM-X:


Sir, I believe in the responsibility to protect(R2P) and being your brother's keeper. However, before you can "protect" or take a stand with the next person - there has to be a form of willingness and solidarity from the affected party. We can't just fight for people who aren't willing to fight and free themselves from the shackles of medievality - else it will be counterproductive and we won't get our desired results. It has to be of collective agreement between the affected party and those willing to support their stand. Northerners have to take a stand first - then we'll stand with by them - and fight against it together.

Also, slavery wasn't stopped because the culprits wanted to stop it. It was stopped due to revolting and belligerent slaves and how they made it less lucrative. The slaves took a stand and the liberal minded folks supported them. Same with the civil rights movement, fight against colonialism, and fight against apartheid.

I know change is the only constant thing in life, however, if want to make the change a permanent one - it has to be a bottom-up change. Even if we're able to fight and make under-age marriages illegal - will that stop them from doing it? I believe prostitution, child labour, sex with minor etc. are illegal in Nigeria, however, has that stopped people from engaging in those acts with impunity? We need to start off by fighting to make our institutions (especially the judiciary and the police force) effective and helping in mass education of our Northern brothers and sisters. Then, they'll be prepared to take a stand and we can also stand next to them, to achieve the desired result. Window dressing approach will never work.

Right and wrong, good and bad, and black and white - they all depend on human consciousness and outlook to life. In-betweeners will always have it better due to their non-commitment to either side. But, some will say everything isn't black and white, and gray is more like it.

However, I believe under-age marriage is wrong based on my outlook to life. But there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. When I fight, I like to fight - to achieve results. I want people I'm fighting for/with take a stand and testify with me, however, that isn't the case here. If I take a stand, I'll look more like a Lone Ranger. And that's the crux of the matter here.

ba7man: Marrying/Sex with kids is wrong. END OF STORY!!! Because some people engage in it doesn't make it right.

luvmijeje: Warning! It's now time to start quoting intelligent posts which means the posters are intelligent, humane and good people. They are the type of posters we need more in this country.

ShyM-X:




Bro, we live in a sick world. There are mofos out there phucking one another in their ar.ses and also mofos phucking animals in the ar.se. Also women who allow animals to phuck them.

tha_originator: After some useless hypocritical christians will come here raining abuses on Islam even when their pastors are impregnating 6 years old girls in churches. Craze dey worry una!

ShyM-X:


1. Sir, that isn't my point - my point is that: people should be allowed freedom to their way-of-life. The Northerner Senators voted overwhelmingly for it and no Northerner has come out to speak out against it, so why're Southerners crying-me-a-river over what has absolutely nothing to do with them? At the end of the day, they aren't forcing anyone to practise, it's just there to enable those who believe in it do what they think is right for them.

2. Right or wrong is subjective and also based on outlook. Beating a child and child labour are wrong to most people. However, it's normal in Africa. So who am I to judge what a person thinks is right or wrong? Also, I definitely won't allow my under-aged sister and daughter to get married because it isn't part of my way-of-life and the consciousness instilled in me by my parents. But I definitely won't stop anyone else who believes in it, from doing it. How a person chooses to lead his/her life is non of my business.

3. There are also tons of adults (old bodies with young souls) who can't handle all these as well - should we also stop them from getting married?

Lastly, life is all about choices and if the people it affects directly are in support of it - why should we be ones fighting against it? When Northerners/Muslims start fighting against it - then I'll support their cause. Till then, we need to stop the distractions and focus on Nigeria, and all the unique problems in the country.

Abagworo:


Nigerians and indeed most Africans suffer from mental slavery. We need to emancipate ourselves. Many of us now view traditional religion as inferior and satanic. Christianity is not better than Islam, Buddhism, Shintoism, African religion or even atheism. We should understand that all are religions with our original religion being Sango, Amadioha, Olokun etc.

danny301: It amazes me how every body is fighting as if under-age marriage is the only problem Nigeria is having...I think under-age marriage should be the least of our worries, at-least for now. I'm a Christian to the core and I do not subscribe to under-age marriage for whatever reason, however i feel, that with the way we are channeling all our energy to talk about this under-age marriage of a thing we are beginning to 'major in the minor while minoring in the major'. For crying out loud, the propounders of this early marriage of a thing didn't say every girl must marry at that age which means that the right of every Nigerian girl or parents to reject such offer has not being tempered with, so why all the noise?

There are other vitals issues in the constitution that have direct effects on Nigerians yet no body is mentioning them. The National Assembly has refused to grant financial autonomy to the Local Govt Areas which means that the LGA which is the closest government to the people would remain an appendage of the Governor(s) at the expense of the suffering masses and no one thinks that's an important issue to fight against. Now the N/A is talking about life time pension to her principal officers in a country where poverty is highly pronounced and nobody is fighting against that. Its believed that our political officer holders are the highest paid officers in the world even when an average Nigerian is not guaranteed a 2 square meal a day. For me, these and many other important issues are the real treat to Nigeria as a country or not the 'useless'under-age marriage of a thing. After all, Life is a choice, if somebody or a group of persons feel that marrying little girls is what is good for them, that's entirely their own business provided they do not infringe in other peoples' right.

VVF prevalence soars in Nigeria

Nigeria has the highest prevalence of Vesico vaginal fistula (VVF) in the world with between 400,000 and 800,000 women living with the problem and about 20,000 new cases occurring annually, while 90 per cent are untreated. This implies that about 55 women are infected by VVF and 18,000 cases are untreated daily.

It is estimated that two million women suffer from obstetric fistula globally. In Nigeria alone, the north has over 85 per cent of these cases. But, the issue is often not discussed to end the practice responsible for the primary cause of VVF. Vesico vaginal fistula (VVF) is a direct communication between the bladder and vagina is resulting in leakage of urine into the vagina. This is a major gynecological problem in the country. It also occurs when the blood supply to the tissues of the vagina and the bladder is restricted during prolonged obstructed labour, the tissues die between these organs, forming holes through which urine can pass uncontrollably.

VVF is also sometimes referred to in the literature as Vesico-vaginal Fistula. In Nigeria, VVF has social, economic, and religious implications. Many women with VVF are regarded as social outcasts and marriages have been dissolved as a result of this. Many girls between the ages of 11 and 15 in the country become mothers either through early marriage or through unwanted pregnancy.

by BudgIT

Lots of Nigerians have taken up issues with the senate’s constitutional amendment voting session last week and have launched a campaign against under-age marriage in the country.

Last week, 35 senators led by Ahmed Yerima had caused an amendment which would have struck out a problematic clause in the constitution to be defeated. The amendment sought to delete a constitutional provision which states that “Any married person is of full age.” The constitutional amendment committee wanted to state explicitly that full age is from 18 years, but Yerima and the 34 other senators were of the view that full age must be conferred on any married woman no matter her age. Yerima is currently married to a 17 year old.

BudgIT has produced this infographic which features some relevant information about under-age marriage, its prevalence and some of its deleterious effects.

coogar:

so he's a pedo because he doesn't share your view? come on, you can do better than that!!!

babseg:
peado we know u now

eGuerrilla:

This is not need for this kind of character assassination.
If you disagree, state your views and leave it at that.

babseg:
Hey coogar, I wasn't expecting this from you and yes he is a pedo

eGuerrilla:
Please explain how child marriage and its attendant costs - the high number of Almajaris being just one example - is the least of our concerns.

While you are it, I am interested in how you rationalise the 1 .2 million cases of Vasco Vagina Fistula (VVF) recorded in North-western states in Nigeria as of January this year also.

Source

BudgIT Infographic: Some relevant data on #ChildNotBride

Source

ihimami:

Mr. Shym-x, you have made a very important submissions here and I agree with you completely. One thing I have come to realize about most commentators from southern part of Nigeria, is that they feel they are more intelligent and have a superior view about social order just because of western influence. This is the same attitude the Western world is exhibiting by trying to foist their way of life on the world despite the negative effects to human civilization, or how do you explain the idea of man marrying another man. The family value system which we practice in Africa is slowly being eroded due to this western influence through main stream media houses and social media.

coogar:

he's not a pedo - state your views, destroy his argument and leave it at that. insulting him without making any point is kinda lame!

ShyM-X:


Are all Nigerians the same ethnic groups with the same cultural values?

WTF is my business if some ragheads somewhere in the middle of the Sahara desert up North prefer child marriages? What has it got to do with me?

And what has people throwing twins in the forest got to do with me? - I'm Yoruba and we never threw twins in the forests - heck we worshipped them. I've got twins in my family and my ancestors were also twins. So that crap has nothing to do with me, and I could care less about those who practised it.

The earlier you lot understand that Africa doesn't have a homogeneous culture - the better for us all!

coogar:

he's not a pedo - state your views, destroy his argument and leave it at that. insulting him without making any point is kinda lame!



this assertion is wrong.....
early marriage is not the cause of VVF, that's just ridiculous. the sheer illiteracy in the north, the poor hygiene and the reluctance of these northern women to get antenatal care is the reason they have that high number of northen women suffering from the VVF.


nigeria is not the only country in the world that is practising child marriage so instead of you people to criticise other people's religion, fight your government to improve the primary health care in the north and provide education to these bush women!

babseg:
Ok I hear you but can the op give me his 9 year old daughter to marry? If the op doesn't have one now I will wait even if I turn 100

eGuerrilla:
No it is not.
Illiteracy in the North is itself a function of early marriage.

JaaizTech: Marriage is a cultural issue and also a personal issue, I sincerely believe that if not for the intent of antagonising one and other, this won't be generating so much controversy.
My intent is to first state the Islamic point view. Islam does not stipulate an age for a girl to get married, but what Islam says is that when a girl attains the age of puberty, the parents should hasten to Marry her to a suitable person. The age of puberty varies and hence no particular age is stipulated. in the past whether in European, African or Arabian culture marriage was contracted early, sometimes below 10. Did this practice in itself mean an end of the world for the girls, did it make them lesser human beings or immensely detrimental to their well-being is the question to be asked. If Hausa culture encourages early marriage I think we should all respect that, none of us love those girls being married out early more than their parents, so let us stop pretending we care that much.
Marriage is not a death sentence or an end of the road, for anyone. I am married with 2 kids and my wife is still schooling, so also are many people that I know. if truly, we care about the age of the girl, then why are our girls so sexually active at JSS level, I remember vividly, Sandra and Eniola, they were between 13 - 15, even though fully grown, when boys (university boys ) were already after them, they had no intentions of marrying them but to just have fun. These are things we should show disgust at, why not ask for a legislation against fornication, if truly we are sincere.

ShyM-X:
Evidently it isn't just an Islamic thing, the same thing happens in different cultures around the world. Even the Vatican isn't left out of the party. So why the hoopla about something as irrelevant as this and the distraction it's causing from the real issues Nigerians ought to deal with right now?

Anyway, I don't believe in marriage as an institution - I think it needs to be redefined. However, people need to be allowed to lead their lives the way they want, as long as it's part of their culture.

coogar:
how so?
early marriage suddenly removes the brain of these girls from their cranium? there are no married women studying in federal universities in nigeria? please drop the propaganda! the fault lies with the government, not the people.....

coogar]

if you are a muslim and you appear responsible, you would be given a 9-year old daughter in any islamic state in the world with the full blessing of the bride's parents - that's just their religion!

coogar:

he's not a pedo - state your views, destroy his argument and leave it at that. insulting him without making any point is kinda lame!



this assertion is wrong.....
early marriage is not the cause of VVF, that's just ridiculous. the sheer illiteracy in the north, the poor hygiene and the reluctance of these northern women to get antenatal care is the reason they have that high number of northen women suffering from the VVF.


nigeria is not the only country in the world that is practising child marriage so instead of you people to criticise other people's religion, fight your government to improve the primary health care in the north and provide education to these bush women!

tha_originator: After some useless hypocritical christians will come here raining abuses on Islam even when their pastors are impregnating 6 years old girls in churches. Craze dey worry una!

Saudi Arabia slow to put an end to child marriage

A senior official in the Saudi Arabian Justice Ministry boldly declared that the government is finally going to attack a significant national problem: child marriage.

It’s not uncommon to hear about girls 12 years old or younger being forced to marry men in their 70s or 80s. For many years now, news stories about this problem have been tarnishing the Saudi government’s image.

“The ministry has adopted a clear stance on underage marriages, and the issue was raised to the regulators,” Mohammed al-Babetein, head of the Justice Ministry’s marriages department, told the al-Madina newspaper. “It supports setting unified regulations to deal with such practices, which will ensure the safety of young girls.”

The problem is, he made that statement more than a year ago, in April 2012. And that was hardly the first time. In fact, in 2009 the ministry announced that it intended to regulate the marriages of young girls. This came right after a court refused to nullify the forced marriage of an 8-year-old girl to a man in his late 50s. Then, in the spring of 2011 the Consultative Assembly, known as the Shura, recommended introducing a minimum age for marriage. The assembly advises the government on new laws but has no direct authority.

Finally, after so many years of fatuous promises, in April the Justice Ministry offered a draft regulation that would set 16 as the minimum age. This draft is riven with loopholes, however, including a provision that would allow the father to override the law under certain circumstances — even though fathers are usually the villains in these stories. They’re usually the ones who “sell” their preteen daughters to wealthy older men in exchange for a large dowry. The draft law also does not set out any penalties for violators.

Even some of the human-rights groups that lobbied hard for the new law recognize the problems. Equality Now, one of the key NGOs behind this campaign to end child marriage, remarked that “while these exemptions to the minimum age of marriage ... are still worrisome, it does indicate a step forward in offering protection to girls.”

The Human Rights Commission of Saudi Arabia called on King Abdullah to raise the minimum age to 18. After all, Saudi Arabia signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child, which states that girls under the age of 18 are “children.”

Given that it has taken so many years to get to this point, there’s still no assurance the bill will pass. When I called the Saudi embassy in Washington last week to ask about the bill, embassy officers said they knew nothing about it. Obviously it’s not a top-of-the-agenda item in Riyadh.

In fact, early this year, Saudi Justice Minister Mohammed Al Issa complained that “the marriage of underage girls in the country is not a phenomenon yet, as some claim,” and “those who say this are wrong.”

Equality Now is one of many groups that heartily disagrees. In 2010 it took on the case of 12-year-old Fatima, whose father sold her for marriage to a 50-year-old man who already had a wife and 10 children. Fatima managed to escape and finally did get a divorce this year, with help from Equality Now. And a 15-year-old who was married off to an 86-year-old man in Jizan in southeast Saudi Arabia, also managed to get a divorce in January, assisted by the Saudi Human Rights Commission.

Suad Abu-Dayyeh, Equality Now’s regional consultant, said: “This destruction of a girl’s childhood and absolute rejection of the possibility that she has something to offer is endemic in societies where girls are pawned off to the highest bidder.”

Clerics and religious judges generally oppose the proposed law, citing Shariah law that “does not allow Muslims to make pedophilia illegal,” as one anti-Muslim blogger put it.

But let’s hope this time that the Saudi leadership, with a draft law actually in hand, even if highly flawed, can overrule the nation’s extremists and finally begin tackling this terrible problem.

coogar:

if you are a muslim and you appear responsible, you would be given a 9-year old daughter in any islamic state in the world with the full blessing of the bride's parents - that's just their religion!



how so?
early marriage suddenly removes the brain of these girls from their cranium? there are no married women studying in federal universities in nigeria? please drop the propaganda! the fault lies with the government, not the people.....

JaaizTech: Marriage is a cultural issue and also a personal issue, I sincerely believe that if not for the intent of antagonising one and other, this won't be generating so much controversy.
My intent is to first state the Islamic point view. Islam does not stipulate an age for a girl to get married, but what Islam says is that when a girl attains the age of puberty, the parents should hasten to Marry her to a suitable person. The age of puberty varies and hence no particular age is stipulated. in the past whether in European, African or Arabian culture marriage was contracted early, sometimes below 10. Did this practice in itself mean an end of the world for the girls, did it make them lesser human beings or immensely detrimental to their well-being is the question to be asked. If Hausa culture encourages early marriage I think we should all respect that, none of us love those girls being married out early more than their parents, so let us stop pretending we care that much.
Marriage is not a death sentence or an end of the road, for anyone. I am married with 2 kids and my wife is still schooling, so also are many people that I know. if truly, we care about the age of the girl, then why are our girls so sexually active at JSS level, I remember vividly, Sandra and Eniola, they were between 13 - 15, even though fully grown, when boys (university boys ) were already after them, they had no intentions of marrying them but to just have fun. These are things we should show disgust at, why not ask for a legislation against fornication, if truly we are sincere.