Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi

SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR GIRL CHILD MARRIAGE IN SOKOTO SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

Samaila Shehu, Maryam Hamza Khalad & Farida Sani Nahuche

Abstract

The study examined the socio-cultural factors responsible for girl child marriage in Sokoto South Senatorial District, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Since independent different laws are established including Child Rights Acts in Nigeria in order to protect the rights and ensure proper upbringing of children in the country.Despite the effort made, the practice of girl child marriage still continues in northern parts of the country. The practice hindered the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for eradicating poverty. The paper adopts qualitative method, multistage sampling method was adopted and seven (7) districts of Bodinga Local Government Area, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Also, twenty-one (21) girl child and six (6) Parents and Traditional rulers were selected as the population of the study in order to determine practice of early girl child marriage in the study area. Findings of the study revealed that poverty, cultural norm practice, and low level of education, religious reasons are factors responsible for early girl-child marriage. Finding also revealed that, girl-child marriage become disastrous to the victims as it leads to health, economic and psychological challenges. Many of the victims become dropped out because they are forced to get married against their wish. The study therefore recommends that frequent seminar on the challenges of girl child marriage should be organize by the government at all level, for the teachers, parents, community and religious leaders so as to transform the knowledge to young once to be comes aware of the implication of early girl child marriage. This will help in addressing the challenges cause by girl-child marriage in the country.

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