Analysis of the Human Rights of Teenage-girls

Child marriage is a global issue giving rise to a number of human rights abuses and is a common occurrence in Asia, Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and by extension Nigeria. It affects both boys and girls. However, this research is focused on the girl-child, as she tends to bear the bulk of the brunt arising from the act. Child marriage is common among certain communities based on religious and cultural practices. The North has the highest prevalence in Nigeria. Notwithstanding its prohibition by several international, regional and domestic legislations, child marriage has gone unabated. The aim of this research is to critically evaluate the human rights of the northern Nigeria girl-child vis-à-vis issues of child marriage. While focusing on the legal safeguards afforded the girl-child, the study will also analyze some national laws that are conflicting on the definition of a child as well as the issue of age of marriage, as this is the is determining factor on whether a marriage amounts to child marriage or not. It will also critique laws inhibiting the application of international and regional conventions in the fight against child marriage in Nigeria.