Married at 14: Zambia’s Child Brides | Woman with Gloria Steinem

VICE News

6 Feb 202421:26

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script explores the issue of child marriage in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Zambia, where over 200 million women have been married off before the age of 15. This practice not only cuts girls off from their education but also subjects them to a life of domestic servitude, perpetuating generational poverty. The narrative follows a young girl in a remote village who is about to marry a 48-year-old man, illustrating the cultural and economic factors that drive this tradition. Despite being technically illegal, enforcement is rare, and a recent economic downturn has increased the number of girls at risk. The script also delves into the secretive pre-wedding ritual known as 'Chinamwali' and the potential health risks faced by young brides, including early pregnancies and the threat of HIV/AIDS. It highlights the efforts of local women's groups and government initiatives to combat child marriage and empower women, emphasizing the importance of education and the potential for national prosperity if this cycle is broken.

Takeaways

🌐 **Global Impact**: Over 200 million women worldwide have been married before the age of 15, leading to a loss of education and increased poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.
💔 **Child Marriage in Zambia**: Child marriage is prevalent in Zambia, particularly in the Eastern Province, where it is the highest and can result in girls becoming domestic servants.
🚫 **Illegal but Common**: Despite being technically illegal, child marriage persists due to lax enforcement and deep-rooted cultural practices.
💰 **Economic Downturn**: A recent economic downturn has increased the number of young girls at risk of being married off due to families' financial struggles.
🏡 **Secret Rituals**: Before marriage, brides undergo a secretive ritual called 'Chinamwali', where they are taught to be subservient wives, including sexual pleasing of their husbands.
📚 **Education Loss**: Child marriage often results in girls dropping out of school, which has long-term negative effects on their futures and the nation's development.
🤰 **Health Risks**: Young brides face significant health risks, including complications during childbirth due to their immature bodies.
🛣️ **Accessibility Issues**: The lack of infrastructure, such as roads, makes it difficult for women in labor to reach medical facilities in time, increasing maternal and infant mortality rates.
⚖️ **HIV/AIDS Risks**: Women in child marriages are at a higher risk of contracting HIV from their husbands, who may have extramarital affairs.
👵 **Traditional Leaders**: Traditional leaders in rural Zambia are key to changing attitudes towards child marriage through local campaigns and education.
🚴‍♀️ **Women for Change**: Grassroots movements like 'Women for Change' are working to empower women and end child marriage at the village level, promoting gender equality and education.
🏛️ **Government Support**: High-level government officials, including Zambia's first female vice president, are advocating for the end of child marriage to promote national prosperity and gender equality.

Q & A

How many women worldwide have been married off before the age of 15?
-More than 200 million women worldwide have been married off before the age of 15.
What is the impact of child marriage on education and the future of a nation?
-Child marriage often results in girls being cut off from their education, leading to a cycle of generational poverty and limiting the future development of a nation.
Why is child marriage technically illegal in Zambia but still prevalent?
-Child marriage is technically illegal in Zambia because the law requires a minimum age for marriage. However, enforcement of the law is rare due to deeply ingrained cultural practices and economic pressures.
What is the 'chinamwali' ritual and why is it significant in the context of child marriage in Zambia?
-The 'chinamwali' ritual is a highly secretive pre-wedding ritual that every bride must complete. It involves a period of seclusion where the girl learns about how to be a wife, including respect for her husband and sexual practices.
What are the health risks associated with teenage pregnancies, particularly for those who are not physically mature?
-Teenage girls who are not physically mature are at a much greater risk of complications during childbirth. Their bodies may not be ready for delivery, potentially requiring a cesarean section, and they face a higher risk of maternal and infant mortality.
What is the role of the 'Women for Change' group in the fight against child marriage in Zambia?
-The 'Women for Change' group is a collective of women who travel around the country on bikes spreading a message of female empowerment. They work at the village level to educate both men and women about gender-based violence and the importance of ending child marriage.
What is the connection between child marriage and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zambia?
-Child marriage can increase the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission. Married men may have extramarital affairs, contract HIV, and then pass it on to their wives. Additionally, child brides are less likely to negotiate safe sex practices, increasing their vulnerability to the disease.
Why is access to education considered a crucial factor in ending child marriage?
-Education is seen as a key factor in ending child marriage because it empowers girls, provides them with knowledge about their rights, and offers them opportunities for a better future. Educated girls are less likely to be married off at a young age.
What are the traditional leaders doing to combat child marriage in rural Zambia?
-Traditional leaders in rural Zambia are campaigning against child marriage by speaking to people in their chiefdoms. They use various methods, such as popular theater, to educate parents about the negative impacts of child marriage and encourage them not to marry off their children.
How does Inonge Wina, Zambia's first female vice president, view the importance of ending child marriage?
-Inonge Wina considers child marriage as one of the developmental issues that hinder the country's progress. She emphasizes the importance of allowing girls to stay in school and become future leaders, as their education and empowerment contribute significantly to the country's economic growth.
What is the potential impact on Zambia if child marriage were to be eradicated?
-Eradicating child marriage in Zambia would lead to prosperity for the country. It would mean that thousands of young people, particularly girls who are currently being married off, could contribute to the economic growth, participate in their careers, and help in the overall development of the nation.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Child Marriage in Sub-Saharan Africa

This paragraph discusses the widespread issue of child marriage, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where over 200 million women have been married before the age of 15. It details the impact on education and the role of child marriage in perpetuating poverty. The narrative focuses on a young girl in Zambia who is about to marry a 48-year-old man, highlighting the secretive pre-wedding ritual known as 'Chinamwali' and the illegality of the practice despite its cultural roots.

05:02

📚 The Impact of Child Marriage on Education

The second paragraph delves into the personal story of a 14-year-old girl named D, who is about to be married and is undergoing a traditional ritual to prepare her for marriage. It explores the emotional and educational impact of child marriage, emphasizing the loss of educational opportunities and the focus on pleasing a husband rather than personal happiness. The risks of early pregnancy and childbirth complications for young brides are also discussed, along with the broader implications for gender equality and national development.

10:05

💔 The Tragic Reality of Child Marriage

This section narrates the challenges faced by D after her marriage, including the loss of her father to AIDS and her mother's diagnosis. It addresses the misconception that marriage can protect against HIV/AIDS and the reality of polygamy in rural Zambia. The narrative also includes an interview with D's husband, who is already married to another woman, and the cultural acceptance of polygamy. The paragraph underscores the complex factors that contribute to child marriage, including poverty and traditional practices.

15:05

🚴‍♀️ Grassroots Efforts to End Child Marriage

The fourth paragraph highlights the efforts of local women in Zambia who are working to end child marriage through education and advocacy. It introduces 'Women for Change,' a group of women who travel by bicycle to spread messages of female empowerment. The paragraph also features insights from Zambia's first female vice president, who emphasizes the importance of ending child marriage for the country's development and the future of its young women.

20:08

🏡 Life After Child Marriage

The final paragraph concludes the story of D, who after marriage has a baby girl and is now confined to domestic life, with her dreams of returning to school dependent on her husband's approval. It reflects on the cycle of child marriage and its intergenerational impact, reinforcing the urgency of addressing this issue for the well-being of individuals and the prosperity of the nation.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Child Marriage

Child marriage refers to the practice where children, particularly girls, are married off before reaching adulthood, often before the age of 18. In the video, it is a significant issue in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Zambia, where it contributes to generational poverty and deprives young girls of their education and future opportunities. The script mentions a girl marrying a 48-year-old man, highlighting the severe age disparities and the lack of consent involved.

💡Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is a term used to describe the region of the African continent that lies below the Sahara Desert. It is often associated with poverty, underdevelopment, and social issues such as child marriage. The video emphasizes how the practice of child marriage keeps this region in a cycle of poverty, affecting the future of entire nations.

💡Domestic Servants

Domestic servants are individuals who work in the homes of others, performing tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and childcare. In the context of the video, child brides often become de facto domestic servants in their husbands' homes, further highlighting the lack of agency and the exploitative nature of child marriage.

💡Poverty

Poverty is a state of deprivation where individuals lack the resources to meet their basic needs. The video discusses how poverty is a driving factor behind child marriage, as families may see it as a means to alleviate financial burdens. It also touches upon the economic downturn in Zambia, which has increased the number of young girls at risk of being married off.

💡Chinamwali Ritual

The Chinamwali ritual is a traditional, secretive pre-wedding ceremony for brides in Zambia. It involves the bride spending time in isolation, learning about her future role as a wife. The ritual is a symbol of the cultural practices that perpetuate child marriage and the limited agency of the girls involved, as seen with the young girl D, who is taught to respect and please her husband above all else.

💡Education

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and habits. The video stresses the importance of education as a means to break the cycle of poverty and child marriage. It shows how child marriage robs girls of their right to education, as seen with D, who is forced to leave school to marry.

💡Maternal Mortality

Maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman while pregnant or within a short period after the end of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management. The video highlights the increased risks faced by young, child brides who become pregnant, as they are not physically mature, leading to a higher likelihood of complications during childbirth.

💡HIV/AIDS Epidemic

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a global health issue, with sub-Saharan Africa being disproportionately affected. In the video, it is mentioned as a significant threat to the health of women in Zambia, particularly those in child marriages, who are more susceptible to contracting HIV from their husbands due to extramarital affairs.

💡Polygamy

Polygamy is the practice of having more than one spouse at the same time. The video discusses how male polygamy is accepted in many small villages in Zambia, contributing to the demand for child brides and the normalization of child marriage.

💡Gender Minister

A Gender Minister is a government official responsible for issues related to gender equality and women's rights. In the video, the Gender Minister in Zambia is working to eradicate child marriage by addressing the cycle of poverty and lack of education that perpetuates the practice.

💡Women for Change

Women for Change is a collective of women in Zambia who are actively working to educate their communities about female empowerment and the negative impacts of child marriage. They use various methods, including popular theater, to raise awareness and change attitudes, which is crucial for ending child marriage at the local level.

💡Developmental Issues

Developmental issues refer to challenges that affect a country's social, economic, and political development. In the video, child marriage is identified as a significant developmental issue in Zambia, as it leads to the loss of potential future leaders and contributors to the country's growth, with thousands of girls dropping out of school each year due to early marriage.

Highlights

Worldwide, over 200 million women have been married off before the age of 15, leading to them being cut off from education and often becoming domestic servants.

Child marriage is an ingrained practice that is keeping sub-Saharan Africa in generational poverty.

In Zambia, child marriage is most prevalent in the Eastern Province where the practice is technically illegal but rarely enforced.

The documentary meets a 14-year-old girl who is about to marry a 48-year-old man.

Child marriage is often a source of income for poor families who receive a dowry payment in exchange for their daughters.

A recent economic downturn has increased the number of young girls at risk of being married off under 18 due to increased poverty.

Before a wedding can take place, the bride must complete a highly secretive ritual called Chinamwali, where she is taught how to be a wife.

The first thing taught to a girl about to get married is how to respect her husband, as men in this culture place a high value on respect.

The ritual conductors, known as the leny, teach the girls how to please their husbands sexually, which is considered the most important aspect.

The documentary interviews the 14-year-old bride, who expresses her love for school and reading, making her impending marriage heartbreaking.

Child brides like the featured girl are at a much higher risk of complications during childbirth due to their young age and physical immaturity.

The closest medical facility is a 2.5 hour drive away, making timely access to healthcare a challenge.

Zambia is in the midst of a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic, with women especially at risk from infected husbands.

The bride's mother has been diagnosed with HIV, and there are concerns about whether the new husband will be a threat or a savior.

The bride's village celebrates her wedding, but she remains secluded in a hut, only having her food brought to her.

The groom is already married and polygamy is an accepted practice in these villages.

High poverty levels lead girls to marry older men for financial support, causing them to drop out of school.

Zambia's Gender Minister is campaigning against child marriage, believing it can be eradicated by addressing poverty and lack of education at the local level.

Traditional leaders are working to educate people in their communities about the harms of child marriage through various methods like popular theater.

A group of women called Women for Change are biking around the country to spread a message of female empowerment and work to end child marriage.

Zambia's first female Vice President is a strong advocate against child marriage, believing it is a key developmental issue as it deprives the country of future leaders.

Ending child marriage in Zambia would mean prosperity for the country, as 16,000 young people could contribute to its economic growth.

The 14-year-old bride is now married and has a baby girl, who may also be at risk of child marriage in the future.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

India's Slave Brides |101 East | भारत का दास दुल्हन

The Child Brides of USA

Forced Marriage Cops (Crime Documentary) | Real Stories

Pregnant and trapped: Guatemala’s child sex abuse crisis | Unreported World

The marriage market for Indian HIV patients | DW Documentary

Children for Sale: Texas' Trafficked Kids | Unreported World

Related Tags

Child Marriage Zambia Poverty Tradition Education Teen Pregnancy Gender Inequality HIV/AIDS Rural Development Women's Empowerment Social Change