Latest items for Niger
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: TRAFF-LAW-1
"Article 255 (1) of the Criminal Code (Law n° 63-3 of 1 February 1963) criminalises the abduction of minors by stipulating that: 'Anyone who, by fraud or violence, has abducted or caused to be abducted minors under the age of 18, or has led them away, misappropriated or displaced them, or has caused them to be led away, misappropriated or displaced from the places where they were placed by those to whose authority or direction they were subjected or entrusted, shall be punished by imprisonment from two to less than ten years. The attempt shall be punished as the offence itself' (Unofficial translation)" (4).
Variables: TRAFF-LAW-1
"Article 255 (1) of the Criminal Code (Law n° 63-3 of 1 February 1963) criminalises the abduction of minors by stipulating that: 'Anyone who, by fraud or violence, has abducted or caused to be abducted minors under the age of 18, or has led them away, misappropriated or displaced them, or has caused them to be led away, misappropriated or displaced from the places where they were placed by those to whose authority or direction they were subjected or entrusted, shall be punished by imprisonment from two to less than ten years. The attempt shall be punished as the offence itself' (Unofficial translation)" (4).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: INFIB-PRACTICE-1
"Younger generations are not aware of the existence of this practice, which tends to disappear, even though it is still practised to a small extent, particularly in the West of the country" (1).
Variables: INFIB-PRACTICE-1
"Younger generations are not aware of the existence of this practice, which tends to disappear, even though it is still practised to a small extent, particularly in the West of the country" (1).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: LBHO-DATA-1
"Currently, there are 48 women out of 166 members of Parliament, i.e. 28.9% of women against the 25% stipulated by the quota law" (10).
Variables: LBHO-DATA-1
"Currently, there are 48 women out of 166 members of Parliament, i.e. 28.9% of women against the 25% stipulated by the quota law" (10).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: LBHO-LAW-2
"Niger has also taken the following actions towards promoting women’s rights: The revision of the Law on quotas of December 2019 granting 25% of elective positions and 30% of nominative positions to the gender least represented in governing bodies (i.e. in this case, to women)" (2). "In fact, the insufficient involvement of women in the country’s governing bodies is evident, despite the existence of positive discrimination measures, such as the Law on quotas No. 2000-008 of 7 June 2000. This law was last revised in 2019, granting 25% of elective positions and 30% of appointed positions to women" (9-10).
Variables: LBHO-LAW-2
"Niger has also taken the following actions towards promoting women’s rights: The revision of the Law on quotas of December 2019 granting 25% of elective positions and 30% of nominative positions to the gender least represented in governing bodies (i.e. in this case, to women)" (2). "In fact, the insufficient involvement of women in the country’s governing bodies is evident, despite the existence of positive discrimination measures, such as the Law on quotas No. 2000-008 of 7 June 2000. This law was last revised in 2019, granting 25% of elective positions and 30% of appointed positions to women" (9-10).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: LBHO-PRACTICE-1
"In fact, the insufficient involvement of women in the country’s governing bodies is evident, despite the existence of positive discrimination measures, such as the Law on quotas No. 2000-008 of 7 June 2000. This law was last revised in 2019, granting 25% of elective positions and 30% of appointed positions to women. However, this law alone does not ensure the worthy involvement of women in political and public life, and even before the revisions of the law, the old law of 2000 was already not respected" (9-10). "The 2020-2021 elections have seen significant progress on women's political participation as voters and candidates. Currently, there are 48 women out of 166...more
Variables: LBHO-PRACTICE-1
"In fact, the insufficient involvement of women in the country’s governing bodies is evident, despite the existence of positive discrimination measures, such as the Law on quotas No. 2000-008 of 7 June 2000. This law was last revised in 2019, granting 25% of elective positions and 30% of appointed positions to women. However, this law alone does not ensure the worthy involvement of women in political and public life, and even before the revisions of the law, the old law of 2000 was already not respected" (9-10). "The 2020-2021 elections have seen significant progress on women's political participation as voters and candidates. Currently, there are 48 women out of 166...more
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: LBHO-PRACTICE-3
"There is also almost no representation of women in traditional chieftaincy positions (canton chief, village chief, etc.). There are no women canton chiefs and fewer than five women are village chiefs, because they themselves founded their villages. Otherwise no woman can inherit that position according to traditional norms. This exclusion of women can also be explained by a lack of awareness of their rights, their lack of self-confidence encouraged by a patriarchal society, a high illiteracy rate and, above all, by socio-cultural burdens. Insufficient awareness among the population for the acceptance of women as active participants in the public life of the country and insufficient knowledge of legal texts are...more
Variables: LBHO-PRACTICE-3
"There is also almost no representation of women in traditional chieftaincy positions (canton chief, village chief, etc.). There are no women canton chiefs and fewer than five women are village chiefs, because they themselves founded their villages. Otherwise no woman can inherit that position according to traditional norms. This exclusion of women can also be explained by a lack of awareness of their rights, their lack of self-confidence encouraged by a patriarchal society, a high illiteracy rate and, above all, by socio-cultural burdens. Insufficient awareness among the population for the acceptance of women as active participants in the public life of the country and insufficient knowledge of legal texts are...more
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: LRW-DATA-1
"The precariousness of girls’ schooling is also due to a hostile school environment due to physical assaults by male students, teachers and also by those with malicious intent on the girls’ way to school… In 2018, the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern about the risk of sexual violence by teachers and school staff, particularly in rural areas" (8).
Variables: LRW-DATA-1
"The precariousness of girls’ schooling is also due to a hostile school environment due to physical assaults by male students, teachers and also by those with malicious intent on the girls’ way to school… In 2018, the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern about the risk of sexual violence by teachers and school staff, particularly in rural areas" (8).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1
"In 2018, the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern about the risk of sexual violence by teachers and school staff, particularly in rural areas, and recommended that Niger take measures to protect children from sexual and other types of violence in schools and bring the perpetrators of such violence to justice. Unfortunately, this is not implemented and when such acts are committed by members of the teaching staff, the perpetrators are often simply transferred to another school or remain without punishment if they agree to take the girl victim as their wife" (8-9).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1
"In 2018, the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern about the risk of sexual violence by teachers and school staff, particularly in rural areas, and recommended that Niger take measures to protect children from sexual and other types of violence in schools and bring the perpetrators of such violence to justice. Unfortunately, this is not implemented and when such acts are committed by members of the teaching staff, the perpetrators are often simply transferred to another school or remain without punishment if they agree to take the girl victim as their wife" (8-9).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-3
"Unfortunately, this is not implemented and when such acts are committed by members of the teaching staff, the perpetrators are often simply transferred to another school or remain without punishment if they agree to take the girl victim as their wife" (9).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-3
"Unfortunately, this is not implemented and when such acts are committed by members of the teaching staff, the perpetrators are often simply transferred to another school or remain without punishment if they agree to take the girl victim as their wife" (9).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: NGOFW-DATA-1
"Recently, local NGOs, such as FAD since 2017 and WILPF Niger since 2018, have been working to instil women’s leadership but also to advocate for the effective involvement of women in the peace process, even if the task proves to be tedious. They are trained in mediation, conflict management and prevention mechanisms, peacebuilding and their groups are revitalised in order to intervene in the peace process and play the role of early warning in the various committees set up. However, in spite of this training, they remain hesitant to position themselves in the peace committees or even to take the lead in them" (13).
Variables: NGOFW-DATA-1
"Recently, local NGOs, such as FAD since 2017 and WILPF Niger since 2018, have been working to instil women’s leadership but also to advocate for the effective involvement of women in the peace process, even if the task proves to be tedious. They are trained in mediation, conflict management and prevention mechanisms, peacebuilding and their groups are revitalised in order to intervene in the peace process and play the role of early warning in the various committees set up. However, in spite of this training, they remain hesitant to position themselves in the peace committees or even to take the lead in them" (13).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: GIC-LAW-1
"Numerous measures have been taken to improve maternal and reproductive health, such as the creation of healthcare centres, free access to certain products necessary for maternal and child health, and free healthcare for children aged 0 to 5 years" (1-2).
Variables: GIC-LAW-1
"Numerous measures have been taken to improve maternal and reproductive health, such as the creation of healthcare centres, free access to certain products necessary for maternal and child health, and free healthcare for children aged 0 to 5 years" (1-2).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: INFIB-LAW-1
"Article 232 of the Penal Code provides: Art. 232. - Any person guilty of the crime of FGM shall be sentenced to life imprisonment. If death has resulted from the act, the death penalty shall be imposed. (Unofficial translation)" (1).
Variables: INFIB-LAW-1
"Article 232 of the Penal Code provides: Art. 232. - Any person guilty of the crime of FGM shall be sentenced to life imprisonment. If death has resulted from the act, the death penalty shall be imposed. (Unofficial translation)" (1).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: INFIB-DATA-2
"Female genital mutilation decreased considerably in Niger between 1998 and 2006, from around 5% to 2%, thanks in particular to the popularisation and application of Article 232 of the Nigerien Penal Code. Younger generations are not aware of the existence of this practice, which tends to disappear, even though it is still practised to a small extent, particularly in the West of the country" (1).
Variables: INFIB-DATA-2
"Female genital mutilation decreased considerably in Niger between 1998 and 2006, from around 5% to 2%, thanks in particular to the popularisation and application of Article 232 of the Nigerien Penal Code. Younger generations are not aware of the existence of this practice, which tends to disappear, even though it is still practised to a small extent, particularly in the West of the country" (1).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2, IIP-PRACTICE-1
"The precariousness of girls’ schooling is also due to a hostile school environment due to physical assaults by male students, teachers and also by those with malicious intent on the girls’ way to school. This is more common in rural areas where girls and their parents are afraid to report violence against girls, which is considered taboo" (8).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2, IIP-PRACTICE-1
"The precariousness of girls’ schooling is also due to a hostile school environment due to physical assaults by male students, teachers and also by those with malicious intent on the girls’ way to school. This is more common in rural areas where girls and their parents are afraid to report violence against girls, which is considered taboo" (8).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: GP-DATA-4
"Niger has reported several actions to combat child, early and forced marriage, including... The adoption of decree n°2019-379/PRN/MPF/PE of 19 July 2019, on the creation, attributions, organisation, composition and functioning of children’s committees. However, these committees are not operational due to a lack of resources. Furthermore, these children's committees are under the aegis of the Ministry for the Promotion of Women and the Protection of Children, although this ministry is not represented in all of Niger’s communes, and even less so in the villages, which limits the effectiveness of the committees in rural areas where they are most needed. There is also a lack of coordination between the ministry in...more
Variables: GP-DATA-4
"Niger has reported several actions to combat child, early and forced marriage, including... The adoption of decree n°2019-379/PRN/MPF/PE of 19 July 2019, on the creation, attributions, organisation, composition and functioning of children’s committees. However, these committees are not operational due to a lack of resources. Furthermore, these children's committees are under the aegis of the Ministry for the Promotion of Women and the Protection of Children, although this ministry is not represented in all of Niger’s communes, and even less so in the villages, which limits the effectiveness of the committees in rural areas where they are most needed. There is also a lack of coordination between the ministry in...more
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: GP-DATA-3
"Niger has also taken the following actions towards promoting women’s rights... The creation and revitalisation of a national observatory for the promotion of gender equality in 2015, which aims to monitor the situation of women and make recommendations for improvement; The existence since 2008 of a National Gender Policy (PNG) with a five-year action plan. This policy was revised in 2017 in order to adapt it to the realities of women and to take their needs into account. Gender units have been set up in 40 state administrations to support the Ministry for the Advancement of Women in the implementation of the National Gender Policy" (2). "Niger has reported several...more
Variables: GP-DATA-3
"Niger has also taken the following actions towards promoting women’s rights... The creation and revitalisation of a national observatory for the promotion of gender equality in 2015, which aims to monitor the situation of women and make recommendations for improvement; The existence since 2008 of a National Gender Policy (PNG) with a five-year action plan. This policy was revised in 2017 in order to adapt it to the realities of women and to take their needs into account. Gender units have been set up in 40 state administrations to support the Ministry for the Advancement of Women in the implementation of the National Gender Policy" (2). "Niger has reported several...more
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: GP-DATA-2
"Despite their presence at the heart of conflicts, women are generally kept out of conflict-resolution mechanisms and processes by men who see them as less able to join and make a relevant contribution. Their participation is also marginalised by their under-representation in public and political life as explained above. Niger adopted a NAP 1325 (2017-2019) in October 2016. The NAP 1325 was structured around 4 priority areas: Prevention of conflicts and gender-based violence; Protection, assistance and rehabilitation of victims; Participation and representation; Coordination, monitoring and evaluation of activities. The NAP 1325 envisaged the creation of a steering committee for the action plan under the aegis of the Ministry for the...more
Variables: GP-DATA-2
"Despite their presence at the heart of conflicts, women are generally kept out of conflict-resolution mechanisms and processes by men who see them as less able to join and make a relevant contribution. Their participation is also marginalised by their under-representation in public and political life as explained above. Niger adopted a NAP 1325 (2017-2019) in October 2016. The NAP 1325 was structured around 4 priority areas: Prevention of conflicts and gender-based violence; Protection, assistance and rehabilitation of victims; Participation and representation; Coordination, monitoring and evaluation of activities. The NAP 1325 envisaged the creation of a steering committee for the action plan under the aegis of the Ministry for the...more
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: GP-DATA-1
"[T]he government is composed of only 5 women out of 33 ministers, i.e. 15% of women against the 30% stipulated by the quota law" (10). "There is also almost no representation of women in traditional chieftaincy positions (canton chief, village chief, etc.). There are no women canton chiefs and fewer than five women are village chiefs, because they themselves founded their villages. Otherwise no woman can inherit that position according to traditional norms" (10).
Variables: GP-DATA-1
"[T]he government is composed of only 5 women out of 33 ministers, i.e. 15% of women against the 30% stipulated by the quota law" (10). "There is also almost no representation of women in traditional chieftaincy positions (canton chief, village chief, etc.). There are no women canton chiefs and fewer than five women are village chiefs, because they themselves founded their villages. Otherwise no woman can inherit that position according to traditional norms" (10).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: CL-DATA-1
"[I]n 2008 and according to the INS out of the 34% of the population living below the extreme poverty line, 73% are women" (12).
Variables: CL-DATA-1
"[I]n 2008 and according to the INS out of the 34% of the population living below the extreme poverty line, 73% are women" (12).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: AFE-PRACTICE-1
"[T]his decree only includes commitments by the State to improve the quality of education, which has not reassured human rights organisations about the fight against early marriage of girls, nor even increased the rate of girls' education" (1). "Niger has also taken the following actions towards promoting women’s rights... The development of a National strategy for the acceleration of education and training for girls and women in Niger 2020-2030 with the aim of contributing to the establishment of an education system free of all forms of inequality and ensuring that both girls and boys have the same conditions for their access to and retention in school and for their academic...more
Variables: AFE-PRACTICE-1
"[T]his decree only includes commitments by the State to improve the quality of education, which has not reassured human rights organisations about the fight against early marriage of girls, nor even increased the rate of girls' education" (1). "Niger has also taken the following actions towards promoting women’s rights... The development of a National strategy for the acceleration of education and training for girls and women in Niger 2020-2030 with the aim of contributing to the establishment of an education system free of all forms of inequality and ensuring that both girls and boys have the same conditions for their access to and retention in school and for their academic...more
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: AOM-DATA-2
"In Niger, 77% of women aged 20 to 24 are married before age 18, the highest rate in the world. According to a 2019 UNICEF study, over the last ten years the rate of child marriage has hardly decreased in Niger" (3).
Variables: AOM-DATA-2
"In Niger, 77% of women aged 20 to 24 are married before age 18, the highest rate in the world. According to a 2019 UNICEF study, over the last ten years the rate of child marriage has hardly decreased in Niger" (3).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"[T]he absence of a law prohibiting child marriage certainly does not help in decreasing this phenomenon, which, on the contrary, is on the rise" (2). "Under Article 144 of the Civil Code, the legal age of marriage is 15 for girls and 18 for boys. Despite numerous requests that the State raise the age of marriage for girls, this has still not been done and the law remains inconsistent with several international conventions ratified by Niger" (3). "Faced with this, several advocacy actions have been carried out by civil society with decision-makers, notably the National Assembly, for the adoption of a law protecting girls from marriage until the age of...more
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"[T]he absence of a law prohibiting child marriage certainly does not help in decreasing this phenomenon, which, on the contrary, is on the rise" (2). "Under Article 144 of the Civil Code, the legal age of marriage is 15 for girls and 18 for boys. Despite numerous requests that the State raise the age of marriage for girls, this has still not been done and the law remains inconsistent with several international conventions ratified by Niger" (3). "Faced with this, several advocacy actions have been carried out by civil society with decision-makers, notably the National Assembly, for the adoption of a law protecting girls from marriage until the age of...more
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: AOM-PRACTICE-1
"Child, early and forced marriages remain high because the State has not taken concrete steps to eradicate this practice. An action plan to combat child marriage has been developed, but it is struggling to be implemented due to a lack of financial resources. Niger is also popularising the Economic Community of West African States' roadmap and its 2019-2023 strategic action plan on the prevention of early marriage. Nonetheless, the absence of a law prohibiting child marriage certainly does not help in decreasing this phenomenon, which, on the contrary, is on the rise" (2). "Even today, parents still believe that it is better to give away their daughters in marriage before...more
Variables: AOM-PRACTICE-1
"Child, early and forced marriages remain high because the State has not taken concrete steps to eradicate this practice. An action plan to combat child marriage has been developed, but it is struggling to be implemented due to a lack of financial resources. Niger is also popularising the Economic Community of West African States' roadmap and its 2019-2023 strategic action plan on the prevention of early marriage. Nonetheless, the absence of a law prohibiting child marriage certainly does not help in decreasing this phenomenon, which, on the contrary, is on the rise" (2). "Even today, parents still believe that it is better to give away their daughters in marriage before...more
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: ATC-DATA-2
"Reservations to Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) have still not been lifted, and successive governments do not appear to have made it their priority" (1).
Variables: ATC-DATA-2
"Reservations to Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) have still not been lifted, and successive governments do not appear to have made it their priority" (1).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: ATC-DATA-3
"Moreover, Niger's reservations to Articles 2 and 16 of CEDAW continue to hinder the adoption of effective measures against early and forced marriage of girls, despite Niger’s acceptance of 19 UPR recommendations committing it to withdraw these reservations" (5).
Variables: ATC-DATA-3
"Moreover, Niger's reservations to Articles 2 and 16 of CEDAW continue to hinder the adoption of effective measures against early and forced marriage of girls, despite Niger’s acceptance of 19 UPR recommendations committing it to withdraw these reservations" (5).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: ATC-DATA-5
"Niger also signed the Maputo Protocol, which prohibits marriage without consent of both parties, in 2004; however, it has not yet ratified it" (5).
Variables: ATC-DATA-5
"Niger also signed the Maputo Protocol, which prohibits marriage without consent of both parties, in 2004; however, it has not yet ratified it" (5).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: ATC-DATA-6
"Despite their presence at the heart of conflicts, women are generally kept out of conflict-resolution mechanisms and processes by men who see them as less able to join and make a relevant contribution" (12).
Variables: ATC-DATA-6
"Despite their presence at the heart of conflicts, women are generally kept out of conflict-resolution mechanisms and processes by men who see them as less able to join and make a relevant contribution" (12).
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: AFE-LAW-1
"Measures have been taken to promote girls' education such as Decree No. 935-2017 of December 2017 on the protection, support and assistance for girls attending school, which promotes the retention of girls in school until the age of 16. However, this decree only includes commitments by the State to improve the quality of education, which has not reassured human rights organisations about the fight against early marriage of girls, nor even increased the rate of girls' education. The implementing order for the decree was only adopted in February 2019 after much advocacy from civil society organisations such as ours" (1). "To remedy this, in December 2017 the government adopted Decree...more
Variables: AFE-LAW-1
"Measures have been taken to promote girls' education such as Decree No. 935-2017 of December 2017 on the protection, support and assistance for girls attending school, which promotes the retention of girls in school until the age of 16. However, this decree only includes commitments by the State to improve the quality of education, which has not reassured human rights organisations about the fight against early marriage of girls, nor even increased the rate of girls' education. The implementing order for the decree was only adopted in February 2019 after much advocacy from civil society organisations such as ours" (1). "To remedy this, in December 2017 the government adopted Decree...more
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-1, CRPLB-PRACTICE-1, MMR-PRACTICE-1
"Numerous measures have been taken to improve maternal and reproductive health, such as the creation of healthcare centres, free access to certain products necessary for maternal and child health, and free healthcare for children aged 0 to 5 years. However, the rates of infant and maternal mortality remain high because the increase in services is not proportionate to the high population demography and some villages are still far removed from health centres. A lot of men still refuse to allow their wives to access antenatal consultations and the lack of financial means results in many women, even nowadays, giving birth at home without ever going to a health centre" (1-2).more
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-1, CRPLB-PRACTICE-1, MMR-PRACTICE-1
"Numerous measures have been taken to improve maternal and reproductive health, such as the creation of healthcare centres, free access to certain products necessary for maternal and child health, and free healthcare for children aged 0 to 5 years. However, the rates of infant and maternal mortality remain high because the increase in services is not proportionate to the high population demography and some villages are still far removed from health centres. A lot of men still refuse to allow their wives to access antenatal consultations and the lack of financial means results in many women, even nowadays, giving birth at home without ever going to a health centre" (1-2).more
Feb. 28, 2025, 5:42 p.m.
Countries: Niger
Variables: CWC-DATA-2
"Customary law, often in conflict with statutory law, particularly in rural areas, regards women as secondary citizens who cannot make decisions and cannot have opinions or visions different from that of the head of the family (father, husband, brother)" (1). "However, the rates of infant and maternal mortality remain high because the increase in services is not proportionate to the high population demography and some villages are still far removed from health centres" (2). "Even today, parents still believe that it is better to give away their daughters in marriage before the age of 18 rather than risk keeping them in a school system with no future or keeping them...more
Variables: CWC-DATA-2
"Customary law, often in conflict with statutory law, particularly in rural areas, regards women as secondary citizens who cannot make decisions and cannot have opinions or visions different from that of the head of the family (father, husband, brother)" (1). "However, the rates of infant and maternal mortality remain high because the increase in services is not proportionate to the high population demography and some villages are still far removed from health centres" (2). "Even today, parents still believe that it is better to give away their daughters in marriage before the age of 18 rather than risk keeping them in a school system with no future or keeping them...more