Extreme weather events are hitting Africa hard. As the climate shifts, families are turning to harmful practices like child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to cope with rising poverty and food insecurity. A recent report by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) highlights this troubling trend.
According to the report, severe weather is the second biggest global threat, with a direct link to harmful practices. For instance, a 10% drop in rainfall correlates with a 1% rise in child marriage rates. In the Horn of Africa, droughts have doubled child marriage rates in just one year as families struggle to find food.
When economies falter due to climate-induced hardships, families may push girls into FGM at younger ages. This is done in hopes of making them more marriageable and easing household burdens. Education also takes a hit; in nations like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, the risk of children dropping out has tripled, increasing the likelihood of FGM and child marriage.
Experts warn that child marriage creates cycles of malnutrition, gender inequality, and poverty. In parts of Ethiopia, some marriages have been postponed, not due to changing cultural views, but simply because families can’t afford wedding expenses.
Positive Examples from Malawi
There is hope in Malawi. The late Senior Chief Kachindamoto led significant efforts to combat child marriage. She worked tirelessly with various organizations, advocating for a constitutional amendment that raised the legal marriage age from 15 to 18. Kachindamoto annulled over 3,500 child marriages, enabling many girls to return to school. One girl, Bernadetta Matison, who had been married at 15, reflected on her experience and recognized the downsides of early marriage.
Need for Action
The ACERWC report calls for stronger laws across Africa to combat these harmful practices. Hermine Kembo Takam Gatsing, an ACERWC expert, emphasizes the importance of community action alongside legislation. “Change is achievable,” she says, stressing that laws need to be supported by a collective effort.
Sally Ncube from Equality Now highlighted a crucial reality: “The law that cannot protect a girl in her own home is not a law; it is a broken promise.” She emphasizes that merely having laws isn’t enough; they need proper implementation to truly safeguard children from hardships.
In conclusion, while climate change brings numerous challenges, proactive measures and community involvement can help break the cycle of harmful practices. With continued effort, there is hope for a brighter future where children can thrive instead of merely surviving.
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ACERWC,Africa,child marriage,Climate shocks,Equality Now,Female Genital Mutilation (FGM),report
