1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
Over the past few decades, there has been increasing global recognition of the need to eliminate harmful traditional practices. International organizations, governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been actively working to raise awareness, enact legal reforms, and provide support services to affected girls. Child marriage, another harmful practice, disproportionately affects girls. This practice is rooted in gender inequality, poverty, and the lack of educational opportunities for girls. Historically, it has been used as a strategy to secure social, economic, and political alliances. However, it deprives girls of their right to education, leading to a cycle of poverty and limited opportunities. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimates that 12 million girls under 18 are married each year, with significant numbers in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Harmful traditional practices refer to customs and rituals that negatively impact the physical and psychological well-being of individuals, particularly women and girls. These practices are deeply rooted in cultural and social norms and often persist despite their detrimental effects. According to the United Nations, harmful traditional practices include female genital mutilation, child marriage, and honor-related violence (United Nations, 2020). Girl child marriage often results in premature childbirth, which poses severe health risks and curtails educational attainment, trapping girls in a cycle of poverty and dependency (UNICEF, 2020). Female genital mutilation is a harmful practice that leads to long-term physical and psychological health issues, including chronic pain, complications during childbirth, and increased risk of infections (World Health Organization, 2018). Forced labor further exacerbates these issues, depriving girls of their right to education and personal development while subjecting them to harsh working conditions and abuse (International Labour Organization, 2019).
Harmful traditional practices, including child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and forced labor, have been recognized by various international organizations as significant threats to the well-being and development of girls. Child marriage, where girls are married off at a young age, is particularly prevalent in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This practice interrupts education, increases the risk of maternal and infant mortality, and reinforces cycles of poverty (UNICEF, 2020). Female genital mutilation, which involves the partial or total removal of external genitalia, affects millions of girls worldwide, leading to severe health complications and psychological trauma. Despite global efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation, it remains widespread in certain communities due to deep-seated cultural beliefs (World Health Organization, 2018). Forced labor, including domestic servitude and exploitative agricultural work, further exacerbates these issues by denying girls their right to education and exposing them to harsh conditions and abuse. The International Labour Organization (2019) reports that child labor undermines long-term economic development and perpetuates inequality.
The health impacts of these practices are severe and often life-threatening. Female genital mutilation, for instance, leads to immediate complications such as severe pain, excessive bleeding, infections, and even death. Long-term consequences include chronic pain, complications during childbirth, and increased risk of newborn deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that more than 200 million girls and women have been subjected to FGM, underscoring the widespread nature of this harmful practice (WHO, 2020). Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a practice that involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons, has been documented for over 2,000 years. It is prevalent in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The practice can lead to severe physical and psychological trauma, including chronic pain, infections, increased risk of childbirth complications, and even death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia where the practice is concentrated. Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the effects of harmful traditional practices on girl child.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that harmful traditional practices have profound and detrimental effects on the girl child, manifesting in various aspects of their lives. These practices, which include female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and son preference, are deeply rooted in cultural and social norms, leading to significant health, educational, and psychological issues for girls.
Educationally, harmful practices such as child marriage deprive girls of their right to education, limiting their opportunities for personal and professional development. Girls who are married off at a young age are often forced to leave school, which not only curtails their educational aspirations but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and dependence. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), child marriage significantly hinders girls' education, with millions of girls being married before they can complete their schooling (UNICEF, 2021).
Psychologically, the effects of these practices are profound. Girls subjected to FGM often experience trauma and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The societal preference for sons over daughters leads to discrimination, neglect, and emotional abuse of girls. In extreme cases, son preference results in practices like sex-selective abortions and female infanticide, which have long-lasting social and demographic impacts. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that gender-biased sex selection is a significant issue in countries like India and China, where cultural and economic factors favor male children (UNFPA, 2020).
The continuation of these harmful traditional practices underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat them. This includes legal reforms, community education, and support services for affected girls. Efforts must be made at both the local and international levels to challenge and change the cultural norms that perpetuate these practices, ensuring that every girl can lead a healthy, educated, and empowered life. It is against the backdrop that this study seeks to address these problems by evaluating the effects of harmful traditional practices on girl child.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of harmful traditional practices on girl child. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To explore the social and psychological ramifications of these practices on the girl child, including issues of gender discrimination and emotional well-being;
- To identify and document the various harmful traditional practices that specifically target the girl child in different cultural and geographical contexts;
- To analyze the short-term and long-term health consequences of these practices on the girl child, including physical and psychological effects;
- To examine the impact of harmful traditional practices on the educational opportunities and outcomes for girls; and
- To recommend strategies and interventions that can help eradicate harmful traditional practices and promote the rights and well-being of the girl child.
1.4 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the predominant harmful traditional practices affecting the girl child in various cultural and geographical contexts?
- How do these harmful traditional practices impact the physical health of the girl child both immediately and in the long term?
- In what ways do harmful traditional practices influence the educational opportunities and academic performance of the girl child?
- What are the psychological and emotional effects of harmful traditional practices on the girl child, and how do they impact her overall well-being?
- How effective are current legal and policy frameworks in preventing and addressing harmful traditional practices against the girl child?
- What are the perceptions and attitudes of communities towards harmful traditional practices, and how do these influence the perpetuation or eradication of these practices?
- What interventions and strategies have proven successful in reducing or eliminating harmful traditional practices, and how can they be implemented or scaled up in different contexts?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Harmful traditional practices have significant negative effects on the girl child, leading to adverse health outcomes, reduced educational opportunities, and severe psychological and emotional distress.
- H1: Harmful traditional practices have significant positive effects on the girl child, leading to adverse health outcomes, reduced educational opportunities, and severe psychological and emotional distress.
1.6 Significance of Study
The findings of this research will provide educators with crucial insights into the barriers that prevent girls from accessing and completing their education, enabling them to develop more inclusive educational programs. Also, healthcare providers will gain a better understanding of the health impacts of these practices, allowing them to offer more effective medical and psychological support to affected girls.
Furthermore, communities will benefit from increased awareness of the negative consequences of harmful traditional practices, leading to shifts in cultural norms and greater support for abandoning these practices.
Lastly, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international agencies will be able to design and implement more targeted interventions and advocacy campaigns to protect the rights and well-being of the girl child.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The scope of the research is focused on the effects of harmful traditional practices on girl child in Nigeria using Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State as a case study.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.9 Definition of Terms
Harmful Traditional Practices: These refer to customs and rituals that negatively impact the physical and psychological well-being of individuals, particularly women and girls. These practices are deeply rooted in cultural and social norms and often persist despite their detrimental effects. According to the United Nations, harmful traditional practices include female genital mutilation, child marriage, and honor-related violence (United Nations, 2020).
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): FGM is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This practice is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women, and it has no health benefits but numerous immediate and long-term health risks (World Health Organization, 2020).
Child Marriage: Child marriage is defined as a formal marriage or informal union before the age of 18. This practice is often driven by gender inequality, poverty, and cultural norms and has significant negative consequences for the health, education, and well-being of girls (United Nations Children's Fund, 2021).
Son Preference: Son preference refers to the cultural and social bias favoring male children over female children. This preference can lead to discriminatory practices such as sex-selective abortions, female infanticide, and neglect of girl children. It is prevalent in several countries and contributes to skewed sex ratios and persistent gender inequality (United Nations Population Fund, 2020).
Gender Discrimination: Gender discrimination involves treating individuals unfairly or unequally based on their gender. in the context of harmful traditional practices, it often manifests in the marginalization and oppression of girls and women, limiting their rights and opportunities (United Nations, 2020).
Psychological Well-being: Psychological well-being refers to the emotional and mental health of an individual. Harmful traditional practices can severely impact the psychological well-being of the girl child, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma (American Psychological Association, 2020).
Cultural Norms: Cultural norms are the shared expectations and rules that guide the behavior of people within social groups. These norms often perpetuate harmful traditional practices, as they are deeply embedded in the traditions and beliefs of a community (UNESCO, 2020).
