Addressing the persistence of child marriage in Amudat, Uganda

The prevalence of child marriage is still persistent and practiced on daily basis in the communities in Amudat. This culturally embedded practice is an unjust violation against girls and endangers their potentials in life. Apart from the fact that these young girls are married off without their prior consent, they are seen as asset of wealth for the family. This study found that these young girls are married off in exchange of cattle paid as dowry or bride price ranging from 30 to 50 cattle. Virginity of the girl is considered a bargaining power for families. Virgin and younger girls are value more than older women and thus more dowries paid. I identified poverty, cultural beliefs and norms and gender inequality as the key socioeconomic factors that drive the persistence practice of child marriage in Amudat. Through the use of in-depth interviews with women married as children I identified lack of financial independence, health complications, domestic abuse as some of the negative impact of child marriage. Although these consequences are known to many families the practice of child is still seen as a normal practice. The study also showed that many of women and girls are suffering in silence due to lack of opportunities to take up leadership positions to participate in decision making in the communities. Using the lens of theory change to analyse the strategies to address child marriage, involving and integrating all stakeholders including the child, family, community leaders, civil society and government will ensure that child marriage is addressed. The integration and partnership of stakeholders will facilitate the education on eradicating outmoded norms and attitude towards girls and improve the value of the girl child.