Uganda, a landlocked country in east Africa, boasts beautiful landscapes, wildlife and the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Victoria. With its safaris and reputation for having generous and welcoming people, Uganda has earned the title “the pearl of Africa.” 

But behind its natural beauty, Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 21.4% of its population living in absolute poverty and surviving on only $1.90 per day. Conflict and political unrest have restricted human rights, with women and girls among the most affected. Child marriage in Uganda continues to be a traditional and established practice, with Uganda being home to 5 million child brides.

Facts About Child Marriage in Uganda 

According to a study that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) conducted, 5 million Ugandan girls marry before the age of 18 and 1.3 million before the age of 15. Burdened with the responsibilities of being a wife and a mother, many young girls are unable to stay in school or enter the workplace, where they would find economic and social freedom. Child marriage has a greater effect on girls living in rural and low-income households, with families often deciding to collect a dowry rather than continue to pay for their daughter’s education. According to Save the Children, “1 million child marriages in Uganda could be prevented if girls get secondary education.”

Child marriage is a traditional practice and low-income families use it to earn money. Families often exchange girls as young as primary school age for goats and other material items, and treat the girls as a commodity or a means of income. With citizens accepting child marriage as a traditional practice, educating both young girls and the wider community is an essential part of changing cultural opinion.

Child marriage has a detrimental effect on the young bride’s emotional, physical and mental health. A young bride is more likely to be forced into sexual activity, which can result in pregnancy. Young mothers often face the devastating effects of childbirth, with mortality rates being five times greater for girls aged 10 to 14. A young girl’s body is often not mature enough to endure pregnancy and complications, such as heavy bleeding, eclampsia and anemia, increasing the risk of both mother and infant death.

Abuse and Violence

Child brides are more vulnerable to abuse and violence. Lack of education and autonomy leaves young girls disempowered and vulnerable to domestic abuse. These girls lack sexual education and report experiencing sexual violence three times more often than married adults. In 2018, 26.1% of women aged 15-49 reported experiencing physical and sexual abuse within the previous 12 months.

Child marriage violates a girl’s human rights, limiting her ability to become self-sufficient, have a developmentally appropriate childhood and have authority over her future. Historical patriarchal practices in the region treat women and girls as property, resulting in people trading them for cattle or dowries, or as a means of resolving family disputes. Even when Ugandan women gain employment, they receive 39% less income than their male counterparts.

Looking Ahead 

In 2016, UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched a multi-country program called The Global Programme to End Child Marriage. With the support of the program, the National Strategy to End Child Marriage and other similar strategies underwent implementation in 55 out of 120 districts. 

Between 2016 and 2019, 5,984 peer educators and mentors implemented safe spaces and school clubs for education on reproductive health in 40 districts. At least 346,526 Ugandan girls aged 10–19 received this education and health care. The next phase of the program focusses on educating all Ugandan children about issues around gender, as well as teaching life skills and empowerment.

Toll-free Helpline

The Ugandan government implemented toll-free helplines, to address and track cases of violence against girls and women. In 2018, those helplines received 200,185 calls, of which 107,871 were resolved. Of all calls received, 2% were those in child marriage. Uganda is now implementing legislation in 40 counties to end child marriage. In 2018, Uganda became the first country to include ending child marriage in its national strategy.

In 2014, Uganda called for a resolution and stated a commitment to ending child and forced marriage by 2030. With support from organizations like UNICEF and UNFPA, child marriage rates are decreasing and cultural attitudes toward child marriage are improving. By ending child marriage in Uganda, estimates have indicated that Uganda could generate $3 million per year by 2030, with women being more able to contribute to the country’s economy. 

Important legislative steps continue to be taken to ensure that child marriage is no longer an accepted practice. With these steps, the beauty of the Ugandan landscape can be reflected in the safety and freedom of its female inhabitants.

– Isabel R. Burnside
Photo: Pixabay