The attention of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) has been drawn to the recent development in the upper house of the Nigerian National Assembly the SENATE. At its recent seating and under some teleguidance by religion and cultural sensitivity, a vote was forced upon this Assembly of distinguished Senators, on an issue that had been resolved at a Committee level. The issue was that of Age and full Marriage and citizenship - Section 28 – 29 of the Nigerian Constitution.

 

At the ensuing vote this gathering of 109 distinguished nationals could not raise a two-third majority to expunge the offending section of the constitution, raising the issue of retention of under-Age Marriage in Nigeria.

 

Suffice it to say, that national and international outcry has been orchestrated against this development. It is however pertinent and appropriate that SOGON, an organization that is committed to the continual improvement of the reproductive health and sexual rights of women, at every stage, and throughout their lives, make its stand clear on this issue –

 

(a) Nigeria’s population of about 170 million contributes to less than 2% Global population but accounts for about 10 percent of Global Maternal Deaths – death related to pregnancy and child birth.

The Maternal Mortality Ratio in Nigeria has been falling and is now 545/100,000 (NDHS 2008); 630/100,000(Lancet etc 2010) and its reduction by 75% by 2015 (MDG5) is not a probability given our circumstances. 

Under-age Marriage with all the attendant risks of immaturity, socio-cultural impediments to access to health facilities, will worsen the outcome of the spirited efforts being made at various levels of Government and by stakeholders, to continually sustain the gains made so far towards the reduction of Maternal Mortality and Morbidity.

Also worthy of note is that with under-age marriage and pregnancies, still births and immediate neo-natal deaths are common due to asphyxia associated with prolonged obstructed labour.

 

(b) It is common knowledge that education particularly that of the girl-child, plays a fundamental role in the emancipation and empowerment of women, thereby enhancing their performances in their socio-corporate, reproductive and sexual responsibilities. Under–age Marriage is a sure recipe for early truncating of girl child education, denying her the resultant privileges for a safer and more efficient reproductive carrier.

 

(c) The nation has since embarked on the goal of a Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) free Generation. Central to this course is the provision of conducive - biological, socio – cultural and effective health education with adequate health facilities for delivery and post-delivery care.

 

Under age marriage creates optimal conditions for VVF and other major complications of Pregnancy and childbirth with scenarios of impaired recovery or poor recovery from such complication, leaving such victims with major scars if they survive, and disposes them to destitution, neglect, and abandonment by husbands who in the name of culture/religion choose to marry and impregnate under-age children.

 

Whatever misunderstanding the senate has inadvertently enlisted from the public can only be corrected by this same body enacting a bill and passing it without further delay that will out rightly spell out the age of 18 and over as the age of Maturity/consent, and Marriage so that all these can be put behind us, and we can continue the struggle for the improvement of the Reproductive and sexual rights of women, in Nigeria and worldwide.

 

DR. FRED F. ACHEM, FRCOG

PRESIDENT 

Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON)