Insights on Child Marriage Laws Enforcement in Rural Malawi
Research explores perceptions and enforcement of child marriage laws in Malawi, highlighting marriage withdrawal initiatives and community attitudes. Qualitative data collection informs strategies to combat child marriage, with contrasting views among adults and adolescents on the practice's impact.
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Perceptions of Enforcement of Child Marriage Laws in Rural Malawi Andrea J. Melnikas and Sajeda Amin, Population Council Nancy Mulauzi and James Mkandawire, Invest in Knowledge, Zomba Malawi
Child Marriage in Malawi About half of women (49.6%) 20-24 report being married by age 18 Malawi has the 9thhighest proportion of women married under age 18 In 2017 the Malawian government formalized laws to make marriage under age 18 illegal (Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Bill)
Data Collection in Malawi Qualitative data collection conducted to inform program activities for the More than Brides Alliance project Focus groups with Married and unmarried adolescent girls Parents of adolescent girls In-depth interviews with: Married and unmarried adolescent girls Community members including government officials, police officers, child protection officers, and program staff
Marriage Withdrawal Marriage withdrawal is the process of removing a married girl from her marital home NGOs and/or local government officials are often involved in child protection committees that participate in these withdrawals Marriages may be annulled Girls are encouraged to go back to school No data exist on how common this practice is in Malawi
Adults View Marriage Withdrawal More Positively than Adolescents It has really helped in terminating child marriages of which we had so many. I remember there is a family in this village, we told them that if they refuse to terminate their marriage, we would take them in police custody and they paid 6000.00 kwacha fine at police and the child went back to school. Therefore, it shows that the program has really helped in our village. -In-depth interview with male government official, Nkhata Bay
Girls See Both Negatives and Positives to Withdrawal I: What happens to a girl after she is withdrawn from a marriage or divorce? R: Others they go back to school again, others they start small business like selling doughnuts, while others they start to look for work I: What does her life look like? R: When the girls back people in the community start to mock her, while others encourage her to go back to school -In-depth interview with unmarried girl, Mangochi
Unintended Consequences of Minimum Age at Marriage Law Marriages are driven underground Marriages are too little, too late especially for girls already pregnant or who have a child from that marriage Withdrawals may inadvertently disadvantage offspring from that marriage
Possible Program and Policy Responses Focus on prevention of child marriage rather than curative approaches If withdrawals will still occur what does a withdrawn girl need to succeed? Minimum package provided to girls to help the transition In educating communities about the law, focus on the reason for the law (e.g., value of girls) Remove fines associated with child marriage that may encourage practices like withdrawal
For more information: https:// morethanbrides.org @MTBA_Child_Marr Thank you to my coauthors: Sajeda Amin- Population Council Nancy Mulauzi and James Mkandawire - Invest in Knowledge
