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Sultan of Dosso, Niger

The Sultan of Dosso in Niger raises awareness of the dangers of child marriage

May 2013: In many places where child marriage is most prevalent, religion and tradition exerts a powerful influence over communities. Working with religious and traditional leaders is a key part of Plan’s work to help protect girls and ensure they access their rights.

In this interview with the Sultan of Dosso in Niger - which features in Plan’s new child marriage report - he explains why he supports Plan’s work to end child marriage:

"Our role as traditional [customary] leaders is managing the customs of the communities. Management really implies development, and development means training, education, health. For me, the issue of girls’ education is paramount.

Girls married at 11

"I’m 88 years old, and ever since my medical training, I have understood that marrying a young girl early at the age of 11, 12 – something that our customs allow – that a girl that age is not physically mature.

"She may unfortunately get pregnant, and this often ends up with surgical intervention, or with fistula. That’s frequent. So it’s normal that I should attempt to explain this very serious phenomenon to my population, which leaves little girls physically challenged for life.

"It’s not only a loss for us in terms of development, but it’s also a huge loss for the girl. These girls are physically and psychologically scarred for life.

Raising awareness

"As soon as one learns, in villages or in schools, of a case of child marriage, we are notified. I have my village chiefs, my customary chiefs who try to stop it. If they can’t solve the problem, they come to me. That’s when I summon the parents and all concerned to dissuade them. Our work is mainly dissuasion, raising awareness and explanation.

"I’ve always said that Plan Niger does remarkable work in the Dosso region. We, like you, work to train (educate) villages. You are also trying to educate people, like us, so we complete each other. You’re giving me support that I am taking with both hands."

Read Plan's global child marriage report

Learn more about Plan's work in Niger