Marriage Of Girls Research Articles

Birth Weight of Newborn In Relation To Maternal Weight Gain and Hemoglobin Level

Adolescent nutrition is therefore important for supporting the physical growth of the body and for preventing future health problems. For many adolescents, inadequate quality and quantity of food are the prime determinates of nutrition problems. Micronutrient malnutrition and chronic energy deficiency resulting in thinness (low body mass index or BMI). The marriage of girls at young ages in India leads to teenage pregnancy and motherhood. Young women, who become pregnant and have child births, experience a number of health, social, economic, and emotional problems. For the present study, the hospital located at Sanganeri gate Jaipur (Mahila zila chikitsalya) was selected. Present study indicates that there is positive relation between BMI of respondents and birth weight of their newborns (p<0.05). Birth weight of the infant is directly related with maternal weight gain and BMI. In the present study 70% of the respondents were anemic. Severe anemia was found to be 3%, which is a serious finding and this can lead to maternal and neonatal morbidity. Current study showing that, hemoglobin level of the respondents has direct impact on birth weight of new born. Babies of anemic mothers tend to be of LBW (p< 0.001). Adolescent girls as such suffer from mild to moderate anemia. Added to this, adolescent pregnancy can become a threat to her life. Hence, there is a need for educating adolescent girls on harmful effect of teenage pregnancy and also the importance of IFA supplementation, not only during adolescence but also in pregnancy. Thus, the findings show that the entire health and nutritional factors are inter-related.

The Status of Women in the Idea of “Rifa’a Tahtavy”

<p>Arab intellectuals in the nineteenth century during their travels to Western countries wanted to reform the social problems of their country, which mixed with religion and tradition. Some of these problems were Women’s issues, including education, dress, marriage, etc. The intellectuals included of diverse groups of people: poet, author, historian, etc. “Rifa’a Tahtavy 1801-1873 AD” was one of the scholars of the movement that believed in gender equality in the areas of personal and social. In his view of point, modeling from European countries in the field of education was critical. Rifa’a believed that there is a strong relationship between the progress of women and promotion of intellectual and cultural level. In his mind, achievement of nations depends on their respect for women. He knew mutual love as the primary condition for the marriage of girls and chastity and decency of women affiliated with the correct training. In this article, we will attempt to look at women’s issues, including education, employment, marriage, and dress in Tahtavy views.</p>

Factors Associated with Spontaneous Preterm Delivery in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Objective (s): To determine the aetiological factors of preterm deliveries at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria..Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted between 1st June 2006 and 31st May 2007.One hundred and forty eight women with preterm deliveries (cases) were compared with seven hundred and forty women who delivered at term (control). Data analysis was done using Epi- Info software (6.0 CDC Atlanta Georgia, USA). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed and the results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The contribution of the risk factors were estimated using chi square test and a p-value of < 0.05 was taken as significant.Results: The period incidence of preterm deliveries was 69 per 1000 births. Unbooked and low socioeconomic statuses, primigravidity, previous preterm deliveries, multiple pregnancies, pre-eclampsia, and malaria in pregnancy were significant risk factors that were associated with preterm delivery. These associations were still demonstrable after adjusting for confounding variables.Conclusion: Early girl marriage and childbearing and spontaneous pre-labour rupture of membranes not to be independent risk factors in this study. Women with risk factors should be managed in specialist hospitals.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2014; Vol. 29(1) : 9-14

A Look at the Phenomenon of Child Marriage in Iran and the World

The recent statistics indicates child marriage has been a global concern especially in low and medium countries, so that more than 700 million of women were married before 18 years of age and out of them more than a third were less than 15 years. There is gender inequality in child marriage, so that it is more observed in girls (1). Some causes are introduced for incidence of child marriage including poverty and financial debility, extension of social network, and protection of girls against rape and violence (2). The consequences of child marriage are often far wider than just their impact on the individual children affected. The marriage of children has negative effects on families and communities. The practice thrives on poverty and impacts adversely on a country’s health and educational sector (1-3). Indeed child marriage in girls resulted in early pregnancy, social isolation, school dropout, reducing employment opportunities and increasing of domestic violence (3). According to important role of child marriage as a pivotal barrier in social and economic development, we encouraged that to write present letter. The letter aimed to provide a comparison of child marriage statistics in Iran and other parts of world, in addition to suggest some well-established solutions for reducing child marriage.

Women and Political Leadership in an Authoritarian Context: A Case Study of the Sixth Parliament in the Islamic Republic of Iran

When Iran's new president, Hassan Rouhani, presented his proposed Cabinet to the Majles (parliament) in August 2013, one issue brought up in social media was the strange silence of the women members throughout the intensive four-day sessions to assess the ministerial nominees' programs before the vote of confidence. None of the nine women parliamentary members (MPs) used the podium to object that the president had not nominated any woman as minister. Only on social media and Persian language television was there criticism for the absence of women ministers. Eventually, Rouhani promised to include a woman in his Cabinet and to promote women in middle managerial positions. Not only was this tokenism evidence of gender-blindness, but it also evinced historical amnesia, as it overlooked the intense campaigning for women's greater participation and rights on the part of the 13 women members of Iran's Sixth Majles during the reform era coinciding with President Mohammad Khatami's two terms (1997–2005). That parliament is notable for its commitment to political and cultural reform and for the caucus that agitated for women's greater presence. Among its accomplishments were passage of the UN's Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW); raising the minimum age of marriage for girls from puberty to 13; and removing the ban on single young women traveling abroad on state scholarships.

Early Marriage of Girls in Pakistan

Early Marriage of Girls in Pakistan

Status of Girls under International Covenants: a Study of Advocacy of Child-Marriage

In Beijing Platform Action (BPFA) in 1995, one of the twelve critical issues is the girl-child. Referring to the reality in many countries that girls from an early age are treated discriminately and harmfully into practices such as female genital mutilation, sex selection before the baby is born, even the killing of female infants, violence against girls, child marriage, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, discrimination against girls in provision, protection, & participation and other discriminatory practices, such as regarding the health and welfare facilities for girls. This paper will examine Indonesia’s efforts to reduce the marriage of girls.

HIV and the Arab Spring

HIV and the Arab Spring

The Practice of Early Marriage in Girls and Its Unhealthy Outcome in India

Post-puberty marriage was the usual practice in India in Vedic period. It was only after 400 BC that the marriageable age was gradually reduced under Brahmin declaration according to which a woman was born to live her life under domination. And to maintain the dominion status, it was necessary to practice child marriage. If the marriage was delayed, girls would attain maturity and question the relevance of their domination. The practice of child marriage continued in India for centuries, however from 1931 onwards a trend of gradually raising the age of marriage appeared on the scene. Nevertheless, the evil of child marriage in girls is continuing in some areas of the country. A girl is not physically fit to face pregnancy and bear children before 18 years of age. Marrying a girl in her tender age exposes her to the risk of motherhood even before she has completed her childhood and eventually contributes to high maternal morbidity and mortality. The practice of child marriage is essentially rooted in poverty and ignorance. Education and counseling can help in dispelling ignorance of parents and changing their attitude towards women. Parents should impart appropriate education to their daughters and arrange for their acquisition of skills. It is imperative to enlist the coordination and cooperation of various government agencies involved in maternal and child health. Constitution of India offers protection to women against exploitation. Legislative measures in operation in India safeguard the interests of women. However, these are only supportive measures. They need a mechanism for their enforcement at the community level.

Minimum Marriage Age Laws and the Prevalence of Child Marriage and Adolescent Birth: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa.

The relationship of national laws that prohibit child marriage with the prevalence of child marriage and adolescent birth is not well understood. Data from Demographic and Health Surveys and from the Child Marriage Database created by the MACHEquity program at McGill University were used to examine the relationship between laws that consistently set the age for marriage for girls at 18 or older and the prevalence of child marriage and teenage childbearing in 12 Sub-Saharan African countries. Countries were considered to have consistent laws against child marriage if they required females to be 18 or older to marry, to marry with parental consent and to consent to sex. Associations between consistent laws and the two outcomes were identified using multivariate regression models. Four of the 12 countries had laws that consistently set the minimum age for marriage at 18 or older. After adjustment for covariates, the prevalence of child marriage was 40% lower in countries with consistent laws against child marriage than in countries without consistent laws against the practice (prevalence ratio, 0.6). The prevalence of teenage childbearing was 25% lower in countries with consistent minimum marriage age laws than in countries without consistent laws (0.8). Our results support the hypothesis that consistent minimum marriage age laws protect against the exploitation of girls.

Cartooning and the Democratic Transition in Tunisia

Cartooning and the Democratic Transition in Tunisia

Demographic events and economic conditions of rural households in Bangladesh

Demographic events, such as death of adults and marriage of children, place a heavy burden on household economy, while economic and labour migration may lessen the burden. This study examined the effects of demographic events on economic condition of rural households in Bangladesh. Household possessions of durable assets in the Matlab demographic surveillance area in 1996 and 2005 were used to calculate asset scores, a proxy for long-term economic condition. Events of adult (aged 15–59 years) death and marriage of girls during 1996–2005 were associated with lower asset scores in 2005 compared to households with no such events. Out-migration of adult males, but not females, to urban areas or other countries and marriage of boys were associated with higher asset scores in 2005 compared to households with no out-migration or boy's marriage. Findings suggest that the government should attach high priority to adult health, abolition of dowry, and encourage out-migration.

Challenges of Gender Equality in Ethiopia: Some Observations

Women perform 66% of the world's work and produce 50% of the food, yet earn only 10% of the income and own 1% of the property. Even though women in Ethiopia take part in productive-, domestic-and community-related activities, they rarely participate in marketing and controlling the benefits. High adult women illiteracy, lack of control for productive assets, limited access to family planning services, low reproductive health, and limited access to information and lack of gender professionals severely limit women's empowerment and gender equality. The persistence of patriarchal thinking and confirmation of women keeps them in a vulnerable position. The presence of large family within a roof together with considering reproductive activities for female refrains women to be competitive. Early marriage of girls, frequent pregnancy, breast-feeding and sexual violence also challenges gender equality. The prevalent attitudinal and conceptual problem on gender-related concepts, less accessibility of policy documents in lower level practitioners and reluctant of male practitioners for gender-related policy enforcement are considered as the major persistent problems of the region. Therefore, awareness-raising programmes should not only be limited to women, but also male should be educated. Education should not be limited to the new generation, but also be accessible for adult members of the society.

Teenage Pregnancy: Maternal and Fetal Outcomes

Background: Teenage pregnancy remains a public health problem as about 70,000 adolescent mothers die every year due to early childbearing. The NHFS III 2005-2006 estimates that the overall teenage pregnancies in India are 16%.In developing nations, as in India, teenage pregnancies are due to early age of marriage and tend to be welcomed by family members and society. Despite legal age for marriage of girls being 18, 47.4% of women in India were child brides. Teenage pregnancies have shown association with higher risks of prematurity, low birth weight, preeclampsia and anaemia as compared to adult pregnancies. This study aims to look into the differences in the obstetric and foetal outcomes of teenage pregnancies and adult pregnancies. Methodology: A hospital based comparison study was done in the post natal ward of a tertiary care hospital in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.100 teenage mothers and 100 adult mothers were included in the study. All were primi gravidae and received sufficient antenatal care. Study Variables were age, literacy status, age at marriage, mode of delivery,LBW,etc.Data was analysed using MS Excel and relevant statistical tests were applied. Results: Majority of adolescent mothers were in the age group of 17-19 years and their mean age was found to be 19 years. The mean age of adult mothers was 22 years.66% of teenage mothers and 58% of adult mothers had normal vaginal deliveries. The number of caesarian sections was high (38%) in adult mothers as compared to teenage mothers (25%).Anaemia,PROM,Obstructed labour was found to be higher among teenage mothers when compared to adult mothers. Low birth weight was in higher proportion(25%) in teenage group as compared to adult group(18%).The differences in outcomes were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Although teenage mothers had higher incidence of anaemia, preterm babies and low birth weight babies, the difference between cases and controls was not statistically significant. Teenage childbearing does not contribute to adverse obstetric or fetal outcomes provided sufficient antenatal care is given.

"Is he a licentious lewd Sort of a Person?" Constructing the child rapist in early modern England.

When in April 1747 judge presiding over trial of John Hunter for rape of Grace Pitts, aged ten, at Old Bailey, London's central criminal court, asked a witness called testify Hunter's character and reputation, Is he a licentious Sort of a Person? he clearly had in mind that a particular kind of man was likely be guilty of rape of a child. Such a man would have demonstrated through his behavior that he was likely behave in a sexually immoral and immodest fashion--but not necessarily that he would direct his attentions primarily toward Unlike modern pedophile, who is understood have a primary, if not exclusive, interest in children that he is likely conceal, early modern child rapist was a man whose immorality would be clearly visible as someone who frequented lewd women or who acted in an unseemly fashion with other women. This article investigates how individuals living in early modern England may have understood and thought about behavior of those who engaged in activities with children below age of consent and especially whether they were regarded as having a particular, and abnormal, desire for It examines how such people were characterized and represented in prosecutions of crime involving children in late seventeenth- and eighteenth-century London and what extent such characterizations and representations conformed later sexological categorizations. It argues that, as suggested by quotation above, such men were thought be a particular sort of a person, but not one whose identity was defined by whom he had sex with. He was, rather, a man who was characterized as generally immoral, lewd, lustful, and loose-living, notable for his debauchery and lack of self-mastery, and therefore inevitably coming a very bad, and untimely, end. Categories of deviation--or perversion--emerged with development of psychiatry and sexology in late nineteenth century, particularly from Richard von Krafft-Ebing's exhaustive cataloging of such behaviors in his Psychopathia Sexualis, first published in German in 1886. Krafft-Ebing did not, in his brief discussion of those who engaged in activities with employ term pedophilia or pedophile describe such individuals but rather referred violation of individuals under age of fourteen. The term paedophilia, defined by Oxford English Dictionary as sexual desire directed towards children, appears have first been used by Havelock Ellis in his Studies in Psychology of Sex in 1906. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) first used term in 1980 to describe a specific subset of child molesters who displayed particular characteristics. By 1987 DSM definition had been revised define pedophilia as characterized by recurrent intense urges and sexually arousing fantasies involving activity with a prepubescent child or children. One of major narratives in history of sexuality since Foucault has been shift in understandings of behaviors, particularly homosexual, between early modern and modern worlds. Sexual acts that were previously understood as subject religious and legal regulation and that anyone might commit now became understood as integral identities. The rise of sexology and medical categorization of behaviors defined primarily by object choice gave birth the homosexual as well as other types such as pedophile. The early modern period predates these formulations, so it would be anachronistic use term pedophile for those who engaged in activities with It would also be next impossible: there are few diaries, letters, or autobiographies recording thoughts or fantasies, let alone behavior, including with those who today would be under age of consent. Sir Simonds D'Ewes and Samuel Jeake both recorded marriages girls of thirteen and that these marriages were consummated, but these marriages were legally contracted, since age of consent marriage for girls was twelve. There would not have been any contemporary sense that such men harbored abnormal desires. Despite some contemporary concern about... Language: en

English

INTRODUCTION: The contraceptive knowledge of today’s teenagers decides the future of contraceptive practices of tomorrow’s eligible couples. High abortion rate of 46%2 of live births is associated with lack of contraceptive awareness. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study was conducted among 426 students belonging to 3 rural colleges in Bangalore, South India. RESULTS: Majority 83.1% of the students were aware of legal age at marriage for girls however 79.6% of the preferred 18-21 years. 78.4% of them preferred two child norm. However, the knowledge regarding contraceptive practices was poor. The awareness regarding condoms was 70.9%, 30.8% for OCPs, 8.9% for IUCD. 16.2% for Emergency contraception and 32.6% for surgical method. 82.6% of them felt that there must be spacing between two children and only 8.6% were aware of IUCD for the same. More than 50% of the students felt that family planning improves health, solves social problems and improves quality of life. CONCLUSION: The study clearly shows that though there is a positive attitude regarding family planning, there is lack of awareness regarding various contraceptive methods.

Determinants of child and forced marriage in Morocco: stakeholder perspectives on health, policies and human rights

BackgroundIn Morocco, the social and legal framework surrounding sexual and reproductive health has transformed greatly in the past decade, especially with the introduction of the new Family Law or Moudawana. Yet, despite raising the minimum age of marriage for girls and stipulating equal rights in the family, child and forced marriage is widespread. The objective of this research study was to explore perspectives of a broad range of professionals on factors that contribute to the occurrence of child and forced marriage in Morocco.MethodsA qualitative approach was used to generate both primary and secondary data for the analysis. Primary data consist of individual semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 22 professionals from various sectors: health, legal, education, NGO’s and government. Sources of secondary data include academic papers, government and NGO reports, various legal documents and media reports. Data were analyzed using thematic qualitative analysis.ResultsFour major themes arose from the data, indicating that the following elements contribute to child and forced marriage: (1) the legal and social divergence in conceptualizing forced and child marriage; (2) the impact of legislation; (3) the role of education; and (4) the economic factor. Emphasis was especially placed on the new Family Code or Moudawana as having the greatest influence on advancement of women's rights in the sphere of marriage. However, participants pointed out that embedded patriarchal attitudes and behaviours limit its effectiveness.ConclusionThe study provided a comprehensive understanding of the factors that compound the problem of child and forced marriage in Morocco. From the viewpoint of professionals, who are closely involved in tackling the issue, policy measures and the law have the greatest potential to bring child and forced marriage to a halt. However, the implementation of new legal tools is facing barriers and resistance. Additionally, the legal and policy framework should go hand in hand with both education and increased economic opportunities. Education and awareness-raising of all ages is considered essential, seeing that parents and the extended family play a huge role in marrying off girls and young women.

Virginity and early marriage customs in relation to children's rights among Chergashe Roma from Serbia and Bosnia

Early marriage and virginity at marriage for girls is not a unique legacy of some Roma groups. In fact, only 50 years ago it was more or less common to expect a bride to be a virgin and to marry relatively young in many European societies, perhaps more so in rural and more conservative areas. However, in comparison to their host societies, the practice of early marriage remains relatively prevalent in many Romani communities. It is argued that simplistic explanations which blame Romani groups for not assimilating to a more ‘modern’ culture are incorrect and morally wrong. It is rather a system of very complex historical, social and economic circumstances that has led to a more conservative standpoint regarding early marriage. Furthermore, these standpoints differ among heterogeneous Romani groups. This article explores the connection between early marriage customs in one specific Romani group – the Chergashe – and children's rights, as defined by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC). Interviews were conducted with 35 Romani adolescents and women from Serbia and Bosnia, of which 18 participants lived as migrants in Germany for a longer period of time. With the addition of information from relevant documents and reports to the original data, this article discusses the specific position of a number of Romani girls and women with respect to early marriage customs and UN CRC rights.

Determinants of better health: a cross-sectional assessment of positive deviants among women in West Bengal

BackgroundRural women in West Bengal have been found to have low rates of formal education, poor health knowledge, high rates of malnutrition and anemia, and low levels of empowerment. Despite these difficult circumstances, some women have positive health outcomes compared to women with similarly disadvantaged backgrounds. The purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with positive health outcomes among women with primary education or less.MethodsMultivariable regression models were built for outcomes of positive deviance to better characterize the factors in a woman’s life that most impact her ability to deviate from the status quo.ResultsPositive deviants in this context are shown to be women who are able to earn an income, who have access to information through media sources, and who, despite little schooling, have marginally higher levels of formal education that lead to improved health outcomes.ConclusionsStudy findings indicate that positive deviant women in disadvantaged circumstances can achieve positive outcomes amidst a host of contextual barriers that would predict poor health outcomes. Focusing on areas such as enhancing access to media sources, facilitating self-help groups for married women, and promoting prolonged education and delayed marriage for girls may improve health knowledge and behavior among married women with low levels of education.

Prenatal Sex and Other Preferences for Reproductive Career of Final Year Graduation Girl Students.

Background:Marriage of girls just after graduation is common in Western Maharashtra. This study was planned to know the views of final year graduation student towards reproductive carrier.Aim:To interact with final year girl students of various streams to know their preferences on various aspects of reproductive carrier and contraceptive awareness.Material and Methods:Study-design: Cross-sectional.Study-setting:Academic institutes of Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Corporation area. Study-subject: All willing final year Girl students. Exclusion Criteria: Married girls. Sample size: All final year girl students Sampling Technique: Cluster sample Study-Duration: 7 months. Study-tool: Pretested questionnaire.Statistical Analysis:Percentages, Chi-square test.Results:All girls who have responded prefer marrying and having first child at right age. All feel spacing is needed, at least of 2 years. Two children was the most common choice (52.3%). Forty-three percent girls feel male child is must and 52.3% of total girls will like to have sex determination done if required. Total 47.24% girls were unaware about any contraceptive methods but 88.2% girls knew the place of its availability. Most common source of information about contraceptive was school and friends. E-pill was known to 41.5% of girls. All girls felt the need for more information about reproductive health and according to 81.3% right age for it is 15-18 years.Conclusion:Girls have correct reproductive preferences except sex of child. Sex preference and Low contraceptive awareness needs strong intervention.