Impact of Child Marriage on the Girl-Child in Relation to Target 5 (3) of The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Child marriage is a societal quagmire that has been on the front burner at various public discourses in Nigeria for some time. Despite the fact that child marriage and betrothal are prohibited by National legislation, the socio-cultural practice and religious backing of the issue in some sections of Nigeria make it a necessary evil which continues to stare us in the face. This societal ill persists despite local and international attempts (Sustainable Development Goals and Millennium Development Goals) at curbing this menace aimed at the girl child. Early child marriage grossly and negatively affects the education process of the young girl and the economic wellbeing, advancement and development of any country where child marriages are being practised. This paper looks at the impact of early child marriages on the girl child and how this phenomenon grossly affects the girl child while making recommendations to assuage the situation.