The topic that is to be explored for my final topic is childhood marriage. The OED (Oxford English Dictionary) defines marriage as “the formal union of a man and a woman, typically recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife”. My personal definition is that marriage is a social contract into which a man and a woman enter to join as a couple with the objective of creating a family unit. The act of marriage is a union between two spouses which sets authorities and responsibilities between them and their families. The perspective of childhood marriages in Ethiopia will be explored in this definition essay.
The act of marriage has variations between cultures. Two people may join in the union of marriage for a number of distinct reasons. These reasons may involve religion, affective, sexual desire, social and law. The act of marriage may differ from culture to culture. There are also arranged marriages.
Use your promo and get a custom paper on
"Ethiopia Child Marriage".
Globally, millions of females are compelled to enter matrimony on an annual basis. In Ethiopia’s Amhara area, many girls are secretly married to men who are often a decade or more older than them. Many of the child brides do not acquire knowledge of their marriage until the week before the marriage ritual ceremony. There are many women who remain in isolation, confined to remote towns. These child brides often pass the initial years of their marriage fulfilling domestic requirements of household endeavors and complying with the needs of their husbands and in- laws (qtd. in Mariam:1).
In Ethiopia’s Constitution, Article 35 ensures complete equality for women and delegates them a preferred category of treatment in the social, economic and political spheres within the private and public associations. In Ethiopia, the women are granted constitutional relief from all regulations customs and stereotypical concepts which encourage the oppression of women of influences the mental and physical health. The women in Ethiopia have ensured property authorities and the right of availability to education. This education includes the accessibility to information on birth control methods and family planning. In the Ethiopian Constitution, Article 34 provides for the assurance of marriage contract authorities for women who have reached what is considered the legally permissible age for marriage. The legally permitted age for two people to enter into the marriage contract is established at 18; however, this regulation is rarely enforced (qtd. in Mariam 2).
The Ethiopian Constitution ensures the equal treatment of women. However, these provisions are infrequently applied. These provisions conflict with Ethiopia’s Civil Code which was established in 1957 and 1960. The Ethiopian Civil Code of 1960 is founded upon the Constitution of the monarchical era which states that women may be treated in a manner which is similar to children. The act of domestic violence was not considered an offense which would justify divorce. If the female spouse selects to divorce, she is only permitted three months of economic support from the male spouse (qtd. in Mariam 2).
The Ethiopian government is the owner of all agricultural property, however as of 1997, women are permitted to lease land form the government. Research which was conducted in 1985 demonstrated that 81% of the females in Ethiopia perceived that a male spouse had the authority of beating his female spouse. In the Amhara area of Ethiopia, 48% of the women were entered into marital contracts prior to attaining fifteen years of age. The Ethiopian women are deficient of the aspects in personal and social security which should be provided to them in the marriage contract. In Ethiopia, the women have an illiteracy rate of 75%. This aspect creates a high rate of poverty for the women of Ethiopia (qtd. in Mariam 2).
The Ethiopian women have the highest index of maternal mortality resulting from childbirth in the world. As an outcome of child marriages, the Ethiopian women have elevated indexes of HIV infection. These aspects have created a life of misery for many of the Ethiopian child brides. Ethiopia is among the nations of the world which have the most elevated birth indexes; the population of Ethiopia is anticipated to augment by 20 million in the next decade. The population of Ethiopia is anticipated to increase 100% over the next four decades (qtd. in Mariam 2).
In Ethiopia, under the convention which was established in 1981, the discrimination of women is forbidden. The 1981 Ethiopian convention requires that the government eradicates and of the cultural and social paradigms for conduct which are founded upon the stereotyped roles which have been portrayed by males and females. The dilemmas which are faced by the women whom are entered into child marriage contracts in the rural areas are of particular mention. The 1981 Ethiopian convention emphasizes that children cannot enter into marriage contracts. The 1981 convention delineates that the women shall not be treated inhumanely or cruelly. Domestic violence is to be viewed as a criminal offense. The convention also provides protection for young girls who are forced into rape and genital mutilation in marriage contracts (qtd. in Mariam 2).
Conclusion
The marriage contact is a social and legal contract in which two consenting people may enter. The dilemmas of Ethiopia have taken place as a result of the non application of the established laws. This is particularly valid in the rural areas. The women of Ethiopia must receive education in order to gain cognizance of the authorities to which they are entitled under Ethiopian law. The spread of HIV is a serious public health concern. It is of the utmost importance to educate the Ethiopian males and females to the dangers of childhood marriage.
- Mariam, Alemayehu. “Speaking Truth on Behalf of Ethiopian Women.” Huffington Post The World The Blog 25 July 2010
- “marriage, n.1”. OED Online. September 2013. Oxford University Press. 26 October 2013 http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/marriage
