The Effects of Child Marriage.

 What is child marriage❔

Child marriage is a union between a child and an adult or between two children. The child most times is very young,  starting from age nine. Actually the rate of child marriages is usually high and common in girls compare to boys. It is also deeply rooted in gender inequality.

According to UNICEF, Niger has the highest record of child marriage in the world. While Bangladesh has the highest rate of marriage involving girls from age 15. South Asia has a record of 42 percent of child marriages; India alone accounts for one third of the global total.

In the preceding paragraphs, the effects and consequences will be discussed.

Causes;  According to UNFPA, The main cause of child marriage is poverty. Other factors include;traditions and cultures,control over sexuality and protecting family honor and insecurity particularly during war, famine or epidemic. Some other factors include family ties in which marriage is a means of merging powerful relations between families. And also lack of education also promotes child marriage. 

In most cultures, the older a girl becomes, the higher her dowry will be. Which means that her parents will pay more money to the groom, for this very reason , most girls are married as early as 11. While in some countries, like in Bangladesh, when a girl is 17 and unmarried it could ruin her reputation and that of her family because people will think she is having affairs.

Effects and consequences;  Child marriage has a long lasting and devastating effect on a girl's life and also on her health. These include;

1. It's ends her childhood, she is forced to be an adult before she is physically and emotionally ready to be an adult.
2. Child brides are less likely to remained in school after marriage.
3. They are at high risk of physical and sexual abuse.
4. They have more chances of dying due to pregnancy complications.
5. Due to the fact that their is not ready for child bearing they easily have obstetric fistula.
6. They can also easily contact HIV.
7. Psychologically, they are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) and depression.
8. Due to the age difference and imbalance of power, alongside lack of love, many are not able to discuss contraceptives with their husbands which often leads to frequent pregnancies.

Some organisations such as UNICEF and UNFPA together launched the Global Program to End Child Marriage in 2016. And also GIRLS NOT BRIDES is a global partnership organisation aim to stop child marriage and enabling girls fulfill their potentials.

 PLEASE LET'S END CHILD MARRIAGES

Myths about menstruation.

 In ages, there has been a lot of misconception about menstruation that has affected young girls and women pyschology. Some women are even ashamed to pronounce the word menstruation.

Most cultures forbid women to talk about menstruation, seeing it as dirty, calling the blood from period bad blood. And also in some cultures women on their period are not allowed to stay indoors, they are kept in separate rooms far from the house. 

In this article , we will discuss some myths about menstruation to clear a few things up about period.

1. Period blood is dirty; This is so untrue,  Period blood isn’t rejected body fluids or the body’s way of flushing out toxins. Think of it as evolved vaginal secretion — there’s a little bit of blood, uterine tissue, mucus lining, and bacteria. But it doesn’t change whether or not we can have sex, and it doesn’t mean conditions are less than ideal down there. Period blood is very different from blood that moves continuously through the veins. In fact, it’s less concentrated blood. It has fewer blood cells than ordinary blood.

2. Taking sugary drinks or sweets during period will make the blood pump out more; There is no scientific research that supports this. It is completely false,, taking of sugary foods or drinks do not affect the amount of blood nor the pain felt during period.

3.Tampons can break the hymen; Many young girls are worried that a tampon can damage hymen which is the whole misconception about virginity. In reality, the hymen is a stretchy membrane that lines the opening of the vagina and does not ordinarily cover the vaginal opening. If this were the case, the hymen would block menstrual blood and other types of discharge from leaving the body. This would be dangerous, requiring surgical intervention to correct. The hymen is stretchy,  inserting a tampon won't break it. A person should always change tampons regularly as recommended about every 4 to 8 hours.  This is essential because accumulated blood,  tissue and bacteria could  cause  toxic shock syndrome. 

4. Exercise can disturb the menstrual flow; Exercise and playing sports can actually help to relieve the pains.  Physical activity won't disturb the menstrual flow. 

5. Period makes women to be impure; In some cultures,  women that are in their period are not allowed to cook or visit sacred places such as place of worship.  Period is part of being a woman,  there is nothing impure about it. You don't have to be ashamed about it. 

Moreover,  whenever you hear an information check with a nurse or doctor.  Myths are misleading,  so find the facts.