Forced marriages By Edem Doreen
Akua Asimadu, Ghana
From my observation in Ghana where I live, poverty is a
consequence of human rights violations. Poverty described as the
lack of shelter, food, clothing, education and other important needs
of life is very common in the Ghanaian society.
Girls from the Upper East, Upper West and Northern
regions of Ghana are usually given out in marriage at very young
ages against their will. This is a clear violation of article16 of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration in
article 16 says marriage must be at the full consent of both
parties.
The girls are forced to marry men old enough to be their
fathers or grandfathers against their will. However, many of the
girls escape from their so called marital homes to the south of
Ghana . They settle at the two major cities, Kumasi and Accra . In
these two cities, most of them become courier girls popularly called
"KAYAYEI" in Ghana and also live in slums. Many of these girls
hardly go to school or receive training to make a living.
Irresponsible men rape and impregnate majority. The result is that
many street children are brought into the streets which they know as
home. Unfortunately, many of these street children grow up to become
deviants in the society. They are denied many basic necessities of
life and find it difficult to feed or clothe themselves.
In addition, in some parts of the Volta region of Ghana ,
young virgins are forced to marry traditional priests. It is the
punishment they are to serve for the crime or misfortune of their
family members. This is popularly called "TROKOSI" in the Ewe
language in Ghana . These virgins are kept behind closed gates in
the compound of the priest. They are never allowed go to out. They
never go to school or learn a trade. With time, most of
them give birth to children who are also kept away from the society.
In this situation, they are denied most basic necessities of life
such as education, clothing, good shelter, health and proper food.
Everybody must educate himself or herself on the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the constitution of Ghana . It is
not enough for one to know the law, people must demand for their
rights. These, I believe are ways of preventing poverty.
Excerpted from Edem Doreen Akua Asimadu , Age Group
13-15, Ghana, Winner, Writing Contest for International
Human Rights Day 2006, Cyberschoolbus, United Nations
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