Readers believe that forced marriages should be discouraged

isaac dachen

December 7, 2015 10:47 AM

73% of Pulse Nigeria Poll voters are in agreement that forced marriages should not be encouraged in the country.

A young girl was kidnapped and forced into marriage in Pakistan

A young girl wrote in from Kano State with this troubling scenario:

"My name is Maryam. I am 18-years-old from Kano State. I have a big problem and I hope your readers can help me with good advice on how to deal with it.

I finished my secondary education last year with one of the best results in my school and I did very well with my JAMB. I was given admission into the Bayero University, Kano, to study Mass Communication but my father does not want me to further my education because he does not believe in the girl-child education.

Rather, he wants me to to his friend, a man who is 68-years-old with grand children older than I am. Even going as far as secondary school was through the efforts of my mother who did everything to see that I get education.

I have six older sisters and all of them were married off very early but I know the impact of education in today's world and I really want to get educated so that I can contribute to the development of Nigeria instead of being married off to an old pervert.

My father has vowed to disown me and send my mother away if I do not marry his friend. They have even fixed the date for this December but I have vowed never to get married to the old man. I have told my father that if he forces me into the marriage, I will commit suicide or run away from home.

I want to know what steps to take.

Thank you.

Maryam."

The teaser for the day was:

Do you support parents forcing their young daughters into early marriages?

How Nigeria voted?

27% - Yes, it will curb promiscuity

73% - No, forced marriages should be discouraged

How would you vote?

isaac dachen