Exploring rationales of NGO discourse and interventions on child marriage in its diverse nature: Case of Child Line Kenya

There is global concern about young people who get married or live in unions before reaching the legal minimum age, an issue commonly referred to as ‘child marriage’. Through various interventions, non-Governmental organizations have embarked on the fight against child marriage using different strategies. However, the rationale that informs the discourse and the interventions on child marriage carries problematic assumptions about the issue itself as well as the position and needs of these young people. Using a case study of Child Line Kenya, a Kenyan NGO, the research on one hand unpacks some of these rationales and their assumptions from an NGO’s perspective. On the other hand it gives voice to the people affected by child marriage drawn from cases of child marriage reported to the NGO, from interviews held with those people as well as the NGO staff. This research mainly highlights the implication of contested notions on the meanings and purposes of marriage in the Kenyan context, on the objectification and use of Human Rights approaches and the silent aspects of young people’s sexuality in relation to child marriage. In conclusion, I provide personal reflections and thoughts on alternative ways of thinking and addressing child marriage beyond dominant discourses.