PARENTS IN TEREGO DISTRICT ON SPOTLIGHT FOR ENCOURAGING TEENAGE MARRIAGES IN EXCHANGE FOR BRIDE WEALTH

Parents during a community dialogue. Photos by Martin Anguyo.

By Martin Anguyo

Terego

Parents in Terego district have been warned against allowing young girls to get married at early ages with a motive of getting wealth out of their bride price.

This caution was sounded to the parents by a section of Terego district leaders during a community dialogue freshly organized at Katrini Primary school.

The female district councilor for older persons in Terego district Hon Christine Aciferu stated that, the matter needs joint effort from all the stakeholders before alerting the people in the district to desist from the act. ‘‘If you allow your girl to marry at an early age, you are punishing her and should we find out that you are negotiating the bride price of a young girl, we shall arrest all of you.’’ warned Christine.

Meanwhile, Rophine Afimani noted that, some parents are permitting their children to marry at premature ages due to poverty. ‘‘Poverty is one of the biggest reasons that makes some parents to do this, but I appeal to them to look for alternative ways of getting income other than depending on bride price.’’ requested Rophine.

Equally, the LC 3 chairman for Katrini sub county Hon Moses Maandebo appeals to the members of the community that “We real want to challenge the community to desist from the behavior of sexually abusing the young girls by allowing them to marry early, it’s behind the major issue of teenage and child pregnancy that we are struggling with!’’ said Moses Maandebo.

Child brides are frequently deprived of their rights to health, education, safety and participation and girls that marry before the age of 18 often become trapped in abusive or neglectful relationships or are abandoned by the husbands.