An Examination of the Implications and Global Interventions of Child Marriage in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case Study of Burkina Faso

Abstract

Child marriage has been a very serious problem in sub-Saharan Africa, having links to several other systemic problems on the sub-continent. Using Burkina Faso as a case study, this study examines the state of child marriage in sub-Saharan African, focusing on uncovering the underlying factors that perpetuate child marriage in Burkina Faso, the implications that the practice have on young girls, as well as the successes and challenges that interventions put in place to address the problem have achieved and faced, respectively. Using a qualitative research design, the main data collection method was interviews, coupled with extensive literature review. The analysis of the data identified poverty, high illiteracy rate, a lack of sensitization, religion and the predominant family structure as the underlying factors perpetuating the practice in Burkina Faso. The practice infringes on the human rights of the young girls by, amongst other things, creating slave-like conditions for them in their ‘marital homes’, and traumatizing them physically, emotionally and psychologically. The national legislations, international instruments and efforts of international organizations to address the issue have seen some successes, including setting the legal age for marriage in the country, and establishing a few shelters for at-risk girls and child brides, amongst others. However, its main challenges in meeting its goal of eradicating child marriage in Burkina Faso includes poverty, loopholes in the national legislations, the absence of national legislations and the severe lack of sensitization which results in a lack of knowledge on the dangers of the issue, as well as the various remedies available for victims and potential victims. The study concluded with recommendations for, amongst others, future detailed research on the challenges identified that militates against addressing the problem in Burkina Faso, as well as intensification in civil society activities to address the problem of child marriage in the wake of the government shortfalls.