African monarchs want marriage below age 18 considered crime

African traditional and cultural leaders have called on all customary courts to consider marriage below the age of 18 a crime.

They made the call weekend in Lagos at a four-day consultation and dialogue on the prevalence of female genital mutilation and child marriage in West and Central Africa.

The dialogue was organised by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

Presenting the declaration on behalf of the monarchs at the end of the event, the emir of Shonga in Kwara State, Dr Halliru Ndanusa Yahaya and the Secretary General, National Alliance of Traditional Authorities of Congo, His Majesty Mfumu Difima; respectively recommended that measures be initiated to black list the perpetrators, fight impunity in communities as well as ensure access to justice, enforcement of the rule of law and punishment of perpetrators of the crime.

“In some countries that do not have laws that prohibit child marriage and female genital mutilation and where such laws exist, they are made subject to custom and tradition or they are not implemented. Therefore, any law on ending child marriage shall also address the legal consequences associated with such practice such as custody or guardian of the children”, they said.