Pulse Nigeria is the most followed news and entertainment platform, informing and engaging young Nigerians round the clock, providing updates by the hour.

Pulse Nigeria

Here are five African countries where child marriage is legal or permitted.

Children are allowed to marry in these 5 African countries | Pulse Nigeria

Temi Iwalaiye

Child marriage is a violation of children’s rights and is detrimental to the lives of children, families, society, and the economy.

Unfortunately, it is still quite prevalent in Africa. Young girls are at the short end of the stick, but young boys can also get married early.

<h2>Child marriage is allowed in these African countries:</h2>

Nigeria has high child marriage rates, one of the highest in Africa, despite the federal Child Rights Act prohibiting marriage below 18.

The constitution appears to conflict with this, and Islamic legal systems have failed to adopt both federal law and 18 as the age of majority for marriage, thus girls as young as 12 can get married.

In Sudan, 12% of girls were married before the age of 15, and 34% of females were married before the age of 18.

Due to a rigid interpretation of Sharia law, child marriage is permitted in Sudan, allowing both boys and girls to get married as early as age 10.

Stereotypes around premarital sex also frequently force girls into early marriage.

ALSO READ: <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/5-countries-with-the-highest-rape-incidents/r6kvs25">5 most dangerous countries in the world for women</a>

Niger has had the highest child marriage rate in the world for the past 20 years, with 76% of women aged 20 to 24 getting married before turning 18, and up to 28% getting married by the age of 15.

In contrast, 6% of boys get married before turning 18, according to the DHS Niger-MICS 2012 surveys.

ALSO READ: <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/5-countries-that-practice-female-genital-mutilation/x4mq51x">5 countries you won’t believe still practice female genital mutilation</a>

Somalia has the eighth highest rate of child marriage worldwide, with approximately 45% of girls getting married before turning 18, according to the MICS survey.

Parents would rather marry them off their young girls to avoid the public humiliation of having their girls abused when travelling to or from school.

Religious leaders also allow child marriage to occur and do not condemn it.

ALSO READ: <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/5-african-countries-without-clean-water-in-2024/5qb07s1">Top 5 African countries without clean water in 2024</a>

Mali has the fifth highest prevalence of female child marriages globally, with 15% of 15-19 year old girls married by age 15, compared to 18% of women aged 20-49.

A 2018 study by the Institut National de la Statistique revealed that 53% of women aged 20-49 were married before age 18, but only 3% of men were married, with no recorded marriages of boys aged 15 or younger.

These countries should criminalise child marriages, as has been done in other African countries like Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa.

Child marriages in Africa [goodgovernanceafrica]

Children are allowed to marry in these 5 African countries

Pulse Picks

Business

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Politics

Local

Metro

World

News 

Celebrities

Music

Movies

Fashion

Beauty & Health

Relationships & Weddings

Food & Travel

Domestic

International 

Sports 

Celebrity Picks

Pulse Marketing

Explore categories

Influencer Awards

Company Pages

Breaking News & Top Stories | Pulse Nigeria

Video

Checkout our authors for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria 

Authors | Pulse Nigeria

| Pulse Nigeria

Read the latest news across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria

Search for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria

Search Results | Pulse Nigeria

Watch the latest videos across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria