La Strada Documentation Center

The experience of married adolescent girls in northern Nigeria

Document number
2168
Date
2007
Title
The experience of married adolescent girls in northern Nigeria
Author/publisher
The Population Council
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
Family reunification, Guardian, Family Tracing, Age Assessment, Freedom from Detention, Interim Care, Integration, Adoption, Best Interests Principle, Child Victims of Trafficking, Separated Migrant Children, Unaccompanied minors, Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Child protection systems,
Summary
Married girls in the study lacked knowledge on reproductive health, including HIV/AIDS and pregnancy. Compared to unmarried girls, they had diminished access to media sources, and to information on RH and experienced a greater number of barriers in seeking healthcare. The experience of pregnancy and childbirth was traumatic for many married girls, and many lacked information and support during this time. The study underscored the need for programs that specifically target married adolescents. New mechanisms need to be developed, as traditional youth program models such as youth centers and peer education have had limited success in reaching isolated, vulnerable girls, most of whom live in rural settings. In rural settings, home visits are probably the only feasible way to reach the most isolated girls. In urban or semi-urban settings, married girls groups can be formed as a way to combat social isolation and create a venue to reach married girls. In either case, program staff need to involve gatekeepers including husbands in their efforts to reach married girls.
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