Analysis on The Effects of Early Marriages on a Girl Child's Education: A Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Solwezi District of North-Western Province, Zambia.

Child marriage refers to any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18 and an adult or another child. It refers to an infringement upon internationally agreed human rights, diminishing young people's ability to realize their rights to education, health, quality of life, safety and dignity. Child marriage and girls’ lack of access to quality education are both rooted in gender inequality and the belief that girls and women are worth less than boys and men. The Children's Code harmonizes this by defining a child in line with the provisions of the Zambian Constitution. A Child is now defined as any person who is the age of 18 or below. Hence, this study analyzed the effects of the early marriage practices on the education for girls in some selected secondary schools of Solwezi district in North-western Province, Zambia. The study employed both the qualitative and quantitative methods and a descriptive survey design that sampled an officer from DEBS office, head teachers, teachers and pupils. Data were collected using the questionnaire, interview, focus group discussions and documentary review methods. Data collected were analyzed by using Special Package for Social Science (SPSS) and presented in frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The findings revealed that early marriages in Solwezi district is rampant. The findings further revealed that early marriages in Solwezi district are caused by many factors one of them is low level of education among the community members. School drop-out was reported to be the leading effect of early marriages in the area of study. The study also reported that there are efforts made to combat early marriages in the area despite of a number of challenges. Different stakeholders have to work together in making sure that this practice is ended. The study concludes that early marriage is a real problem in Solwezi district.