East African country – Gambia has just placed a ban on child marriage, making it illegal to marry any under aged girl (under 18).
Any man found guilty of marrying an underage girl will get 20 years in prison, while her parents/guardians who agreed to the marriage will get 21 years and whoever presides over such marriage would also get prison time.
According to Punch, the law states that any one who marries a girl under the age of 18 will be prosecuted. And anyone who is aware of the violation of the law and does not come forward to report it will also get a prison sentence of 10 years.
Read more after the cut
In Nigeria, child marriage is still very predominant, with some of our leaders even getting married to underage girls **cough Senator Yerima cough**
In 2013, Nigeria attempted to change section 29, sub section 4 of its laws and prohibit child marriages, however, it was opposed by the Northern states. Child marriage seems to be on the increase in Nigeria, though the Child Rights Act, which was passed in 2003, sets the age of marriage at 18 years-old.
However, only 23 of Nigeria’s 36 states have taken concrete steps to implement the minimum age of marriage.
If only Nigeria lawmakers could come heavy on pedophiles who mask their crime by getting married to their victims.
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