ROLE OF SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS ON EARLY MARRIAGE PRACTICES IN GAROWE DISTRICT

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ROLE OF SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS ON EARLY MARRIAGE PRACTICES IN GAROWE DISTRICT

Journal Title: European Journal of Business and Social Sciences - Year 2016, Vol 5, Issue 9

Abstract

This study was designed to explore the Socio â€“ economic factors that contribute to early marriage practices in Garowe District, Puntland Somalia. It evaluated the roles that house hold income, Level of education of Parents and Parental attitudes play in early marriage practices. Previous studies reviewed focused poverty, culture and low level of girls education as factors contributing to early marriage practices in many parts of Africa, this research adds the existing knowledge of the topic that uneducated parents are more likely encourage early marriage of their young girls than educated parents do, their attitude towards early marriage is positive and resist to change. The target population of this study were, selected parents from both wealthy and poor families living in urban and rural setting of Garowe District, young girls who are vulnerable to this phenomena, parents involved in this phenomena, education managers and policy makers of Garowe District. The study targeted members represented in different categories of target group mentioned above, qualitative research method was used to deeply understand the feelings, emotions and arguments from respondents explaining what they believe is contributing early marriage phenomena in Garowe community. Snowball Sampling was used as a sampling technique for parents and girls who were involved in early marriage practices since it was hard to locate them due to sensitivity of the topic. Data was collected through carefully designed instruments such as interview guide, focus group discussion guide, and documentary analysis. The study revealed that house hold income plays significant role in early marriage practices, girls from poor income families are the most affected and exposed to early marriage practices. Increased level of education of parents play significant role in reducing early marriage practices but research finding shows that there is evidence showing that girls from educated families face early marriage practices as well, this is because positive attitude of community towards early marriage is major contributor overpowering educated parents to accept early marriage practices for their young girls because of cultural norms and values related to marriage importance than anything else. the study recommended to Somalia Governments at all levels design awareness and civic education programs sensitizing the problems of early marriages focusing not only urban communities but also rural and nomadic communities as well as Parents living in internal displaced camps in Garowe District, The study also recommended to Somalia Government design adult education programs targeting illiterate parents and overall parents in general to take advantage of these programs, evening classes should be organized for parents to learn as they are busy to look for bread of the family during day time, these adult education programs should be organized not only as illiteracy and numeracy classes but also civic education and life skills programs targeting human right issues such as early marriage problems, HIV and AIDS , women and environment and the effects of conflicts on women and children.

Authors and Affiliations

Ahmed Said Nur| Student of MSc of development studies Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya Somalia , Garowe, Hellen Mberia| Supervisor Dean of School of communication and development Studies, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi , Kenya, Dr Willy Muturi| Supervisor Senior lecturer school of business and economics , Jomo Kenyata University of agriculture and technology , Nairobi, Kenya

Keywords

Child marriage Family gender equality gender equity Household income education of parents

EP ID EP10845
DOI -
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