Annotation 6_The situation of child marriage in Qewet and Bahir Dar Zurida:

Berhanu, A., Tesama, D., Worku, B., Mekonnen, A., Juanola, L., & van der Kwaak, A. (2019). The situation of child marriage in Qewet and Bahir Dar Zurida: a focus on gender roles, parenting and young people’s future perspectives  Yes I Do. Ethiopia–Amhara Region. 

The study explored the interplay between social and gender norms in young people’s economic and education opportunities, and the implications of this on the practice of child marriage in the Bahir Dar Zuria and Qewet woredas districts, in the Amhara national regional state. It explored social and gender norms influencing family dynamics and decision making around marriage. The study offered more in-depth insights into the manifestations of gender inequality,  supporting the widely accepted claim that gender norms and inequalities are the primary drivers of the still prevalent practice of child marriage, albeit declining. 

The study demonstrated that the primary barriers to young women’s future prospects and the primary causes of child marriage are unpaid domestic work and the control of women’s sexuality. At the same time, the case of marriage cancellation and divorce are an indication of changes in the perceived value of (child) marriage. The findings show that marriage is strongly related to young people’s future prospects. This is characterised by very limited employment and economic opportunities for youth. These limitations have led to increasing migration flows; and even international migration. At the same time, limited employment opportunities have affected parents’ and young people’s perspectives on the value of secondary education.

The authors pointed out that social expectations regarding young women’s sexual purity and unpaid domestic work constrain their future prospects. The authors advised promoting a more gender-equitable division of domestic labour and the need to address  societal anxieties regarding young women’s sexuality. Changes in traditional gender norms can be seen in the increased value placed on girls’ and young women’s primary education as well as young women’s participation in economic activities outside the home. Secondly, they suggested that young women’s secondary education should be supported financially, and by easing parents’ concerns about their daughters moving to more urban areas. This would increase their chances of completing secondary education successfully.