Marriage celebrated abroad in accordance with the law of the place of celebration shall be valid in ethiopia so long as it does not contravene public moral. If traditional marriages are recognised in ethiopia without the need for a civil ceremony or registration process 3. Child marriage briefing ethiopia population council. Child marriage and infant mortality evidence from ethiopia jorge garc a hombrados phd student university of sussex jorge garcia hombrados u. These assets affect farmsize distribution, since newlyweds typically initiate their own farming operations. Assets brought at marriage constitute the dominant form of startup capital for new farms. Ethiopia ethiopia s approach to child marriage is closely linked to its work to end fgm and is guided by a national strategy and action plan on harmful traditional practices against women and children, which was launched in 20. All too often, the imposition of a marriage partner upon a child means that a girl or boys childhood is cut short and their. A 20 study pdf published by anastasia gage, supported under the usaidfunded measure evaluation project, sheds new light on how exposure to behavior change communication bcc affects knowledge and attitudes on cm among parents and guardians in amhara region.
In 2004 ethiopia signed, but has not yet ratified, the african charter on human and peoples rights on the rights of women in africa, including article 6 which sets the minimum age for marriage as 18. Child marriage and infant mortality evidence from ethiopia. Crvs birth, marriage and death registration in ethiopia. According to tradition and culture the bride must be virgin when the marriage takes place.
The main law governing fgm in ethiopia is proclamation no. Whether a talaq pronounced by a wife in an adjoining country. Ethiopia is the site of some of the most abusive marital practices, such as marriage by abduction and forced unions between cousins abusuma. Researched and compiled by the refugee documentation centre of ireland on 29 august 2011. Sadly, the practice of early marriage gives no such cause for celebration. Child marriage in ethiopia s amhara region hd girl effect ethiopia. Ethiopia is one of 20 countries which has committed to ending child marriage by the end of 2020 under the ministerial commitment on. Marriage practices among the gidda oromo, northern wollega.
Median age at first marriage or union among women aged 20 to 24 years, in selected countries the practice of child marriage is slowly declining. Usaid promotes dissemination and use of new evidence on effective strategies for child marriage prevention. A national law requires consenting couples to be at least 18 years old to marry. Ethiopia has one of the most severe crises of child marriage in the world today. Improving the lives of married adolescent girls in amhara, ethiopia a summary of the evidence background today, there are nearly 70 million child brides worldwide, with an estimated 142 million more destined for early marriage over the next decade. Marriage can lead to unique changes in the life of an adolescent girl. Oromia, ethiopia, oromo boranaarsiguji, afroasiatic 1.
The practice of child marriage in ethiopia has shown significant decline in recent years. Oromo history began in the sixteenth century when the oromo were actively recapturing their territories and rolling back the christian and muslim empires. Khadiagala introduction widespread variations in geography, socioeconomic structures, and. Currently, marriage under ethiopian law is an institution that is to be entered into with. New evidence on child marriage prevention in ethiopia. Child marriage is a human rights violation that prevents girls from obtaining an education, enjoying optimal health, bonding with others their own age, maturing, and ultimately choosing their own life partners. Research has consistently documented the adverse economic, social, demographic and reproductive health consequences of child marriage for child brides, their families and their communities 1,2,3,4,5,6,7. Defacto divorces and legalizing divorce in court ethiopia a brief note of awareness for those married couples who are in defacto divorces without legalizing the divorce in court. Addis ababa, may 3, 2018 ethiopia s economy could potentially lose billions of dollars annually due to child marriage, says a new report by the world bank and the international center for research for women, which was launched today together with the ministry of women and childrens affairs. When american girls are forced into marriage abroad, the u. Under ethiopian law, marriage is recognized as such whether celebrated traditionally, religiously or by court according to the law. A reflection on the african traditional values of marriage and sexuality dr. Pdf child marriage in ethiopia a matter of concern i. Health consequences of child marriage in africa volume.
Amhara region of ethiopia, 30 percent of girls who were not in school said that the primary reason was marriage. Child marriage in ethiopias amhara region hd youtube. In the last decade, child marriage has affected 58 million girls, many of whom were married against their will and in violation of international laws and conventions. Child marriage violates girls basic human rights and brings their childhoods to a swift end. Child marriage is a human rights violation and a practice that undermines efforts to promote sustainable development. New yorkaddis ababa, 8 march 2016 a new multicountry initiative to accelerate action to end child marriage will help protect the rights of millions of the worlds most vulnerable girls, unicef and unfpa said on international womens day. Child marriage continues to be highly prevalent in africa, where almost 40% of girls are married before age 18. Child marriage and psychological wellbeing in niger and.
Laws alone are not enough governments need to implement those laws. Care advocates for passing laws and implementing existing laws to end child marriage, locally, nationally, and globally. Child marriage may cost ethiopia billions of dollars, says. Oromia, ethiopia, oromo boranaarsiguji, afroasiatic. In contrast, ending the practice of child marriage would have a large positive effect on the. Despite challenges, ending early marriage in ethiopia is. Improving the lives of married adolescent girls in amhara. Ending child marriage in a generation ford foundation. Ending child marriage and meeting the needs of married. Information on civil registration systems was compiled over a period from december 2016 to november 2017 using the existing relevant legal frameworks and in consultation with crvs experts, officials within the relevant national institutions, and unicef country offices.
A reflection on the african traditional values of marriage. Heran serekebrhan discussed marriage and politics in 19th and 20thcentury ethiopia. April 2011 ethiopia has one of the highest rates of early marriage in the world, with one in two girls marrying before her 18th birthday and one in five girls marrying before the age of 15. This paper looks at two factors that may have an impact on the risk of divorce in ethiopia. Throughout the world, marriage is regarded as a moment of celebration and a milestone in adult life. Communication on early marriage prevention in ethiopia has included radio serial drama such as dhimbiibbaa getting the best out of life, which addressed early marriage, marriage by abduction, womens empowerment, girls education, and health ryerson, 2008. Child marriages in india the red elephant foundation december 20 e 4 introduction child marriage refers to the marriage of a child younger than 18 years old,1 in accordance to article 1 of the convention on the right of the child. Rural ethiopia ignores law against child brides ethiopia s government is backing a series of new familyplanning policies, including a ban on marrying girls before theyre 18. Christian marriages, muslim marriages ethiopian treasures. The legal age of marriage is 18 for both males and females,16 but it is widely ignored. According to the most recent demographic and health survey data from 2011, the median age at which ethiopian women marry is 16. Box 4384400100, nairobi, kenya abstract it is the opinion consensuses of a few scholars that the institution of marriage has continued to.
A number of recent reports on child marriage deserve mention, as they offer new data, summarize the range of programs, or frame the issue in new ways. Introduction child marriage refers to any marriage of a child younger than eighteen years old, in accordance to article 1 of the convention of the right of the child. Most countries with high rates of child marriage already have laws making the practice illegal. Zewde fentaw dances during her wedding ceremony in shumshah kebele, lasta woreda unicef ethiopia 2015bindra. Globally, 1 in 4 young women alive today were married in childhood versus 1 in 3 in the early 1980s. Marriage practices among the gidda oromo, northern. Defacto divorces and legalizing divorce in court ethiopia. Ending child marriage in a generation page 3 these programs have taught us a lot about where we should be focusing our efforts to prevent, delay, and mitigate child marriage. Marriage practices among the gidda oromo, northern wollega, ethiopia gemechu beyene tuskegee university, alabama, u. Elementary school students learn about the law in their civics classes, as well as about the health and economic consequences of early marriage.
The impact and cost of child marriage prevention in rural. A valid marriage shall take place only when the spouses have given their free and full consent. Christian marriages, mainly in tigray and amhara regions, are often arranged by the parents of the bride and groom with a great deal of negotiation. A and assefa tolera addis ababa university, ethiopia abstract the present paper is a descriptive study of marriage ceremonies and types of marriage among gidda oromo, northern wollega, ethiopia. Fortyfive per cent of first marriages in ethiopia end in divorce within 30 years, and twothirds of women who divorce do so within the first 5 years of marriage. Child marriage prevention in amhara region, ethiopia. Essential conditions of marriage article 6 consent. Pdf the incidence of child marriage is not only in nepal but also in the world. Child marriage is still the norm in ethiopia where the most recent national figures suggest that more than half 58% of all women aged between 20 and 49 in 2011 were married by the legal age of 18 csae 2012a. Progress is most dramatic when it comes to the marriage of girls under 15 years of age.