The Niger Child Right Protection Agency has warned parents against forcing their children into early marriages due to the bad consequences associated with such practice.
 
Hajiya Mairam Kolo, its Director-General, gave the warning on Wednesday in Minna, while distributing relief materials to victims of communal clashes in Lamba village of Paiko Local government area of the state.
 
She defined early or child marriage as any marriage involving a child that is less than 18 years old.
 
“Such forced marriage is a violation of the child’s human rights,” he said.
 
She said that early marriage had many disadvantages which included risks of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) diseases among young girls.
 
“VVF is the breakdown in the tissue between the vaginal wall and the bladder caused by unrelieved obstructed labour.
 
“The consequences of such damages include urinary incontinence.
 
“It also includes related conditions such as dermatitis, as well as the erosion of the skin and other tissues in the vulva and vagina, causing the constant leaking of urine or faeces.
 
“The bladder and vaginal wall can be completely eroded if nerves to the lower limbs are damaged; the girl can also develop foot-drop,’’ she said.
 
The director-general said that such problems could stop the girls from engaging in social activities and even lead to a divorce.
 
“ Girls, who are forced into early marriage and get pregnant before their pelvis are developed, are prone to high risk obstructed labor and maternal death.
 
“These girls are exposed to such diseases due to lack of adequate medical attention during pregnancy and childbirth, especially those in rural areas, who do not have access to medical services,’’ she said.
 
Read more at http://thenationonlineng.net/child-protection-agency-warns-early-marriage/