Child marriage in Tanzania - Essay Example

Child marriage in Tanzania Child marriage in Tanzania The film shows a documentary of some of the challenges faced by the girl child in pursuit of education. One of the biggest challenges is early marriage is caused by the attitude that the society has towards the girl child. According to the film, a girl’s value is only determined by being married. Girls are looked at as a source of wealth to the family, which makes it easier for them to be given out. The eligibility of a girl to get marriage and even drop out of school is circumcision.

Girls at the age of nine or more are forced to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM), which initiates them into womanhood (Ezer, Kerr, Major & Polavarapu, 2006). Once a girl is circumcised, they are only kept in school as they await a suitable suitor to come along. Their education life is terminated once their fathers identify a man rich enough to give them the wealth they desire Early marriage is a deadly practice that exposes a girl to numerous health challenges. One among them is the psychological trauma of being exposed to adulthood responsibilities before the child is fully mature.

Most of the girls are married off to men that are much older than them, and even fit to be called their fathers. In the marriage, the man they are married to and his relatives expose them to physical abuse and assault. Early marriage also denies the child a chance to grow and enjoy her childhood. She is forced to behave like a woman as she takes upon the responsibilities that are too big for her. The girl is also denied the chance to attend school and achieve her dreams as she is looked at as property rather than a person with an independent mind.

Most of the girls become pregnant at very tender ages before their reproductive systems are fully mature. Early marriage is a mentality that is deep rooted in the Maasai communities in Tanzania. A woman has no say in any matters that pertain to her life. The mentality implies that the men are the overall decision makers and the women have to agree to them, whether they think it is right or not. From the film, we realize that the mothers of the girls have no power to stop their husbands from marrying off their daughters at a tender age.

Circumcision, commonly known as female genital mutilation is a cultural practice that binds women regarding making decisions. The women cannot say no to the practice, which is usually a sign that they are ready for marriage (Otoo-Oyortey & Pobi, 2003). Finally, the government is not doing enough to protect the girl child from cultural vices. Young girls who become pregnant while in schools are forced out and never given a second chance. Such exposure leaves them with little options in life rather than to get married.

The government has the biggest role to play in improving the healthcare system, especially for the girl child. Measures should be taken to establish rescue centers for girls running away from FGM and early marriages. Furthermore, being pregnant should never be seen as a drawback to girl child education. Measures should be put in place, where the girls can be helped to have a safe delivery and after that taken care of until when they are ready to go back to school. There is also need for awareness programs to be organized especially among the Maasai communities about the health risks of FGM and early marriages.

Girls and women across the world need to realize their worth, and stand strong to defend their sexuality. This can only be achieved when they have strong government policies that will back them up in making such decisions. Reference list Child Brides in Tanzania < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQvoNQsl6uU> Ezer, T., Kerr, K., Major, K., & Polavarapu, A. (2006). Child marriage and guardianship in Tanzania: Robbing girls of their childhood and infantilizing women. Geo. J. Gender & L., 7, 357.

Otoo-Oyortey, N., & Pobi, S. (2003). Early Marriage and Poverty: Exploring links and key policy issues. Gender & Development, 11(2), 42-51.