Causes and effects of early marriage on the girl-child in Suba sub - county, Western Kenya
Abstract
This study set out to explore the causes and effects of early marriage on the girl-child in Suba
sub-County. The specific objectives were to investigate and to determine the causes and effects
of early marriage on the girl-children in the sub-County. The study was guided by radical
feminist theory which analyzes patriarchy as the cause of women’s oppression and this in turn
hinders them from participating in educational activities equal to men.
Data were collected through survey method, focus group discussions, direct observation, key
informant interviews and narratives. The study found that girls drop out of school at an early age
due to poverty and end up marrying early because of not having anything meaningful to do. The
study, therefore, concludes that early marriage exists and it affects the girl-child education in this
sub-County.
The study recommends that the law prohibiting early marriage be enforced. Finally, it
recommends parents to counsel their daughters once they reach adolescent stage and equip them
with necessary materials such as sanitary towels, books and a little pocket money for lunch to
protect them from the lures of fishermen.
Publisher
University of Nairobi