This entry provides an overview of early marriage of girls under the age of 18 from a human rights and gender perspective. It examines international conventions relating to child marriage and critiques the application of Islamic law (Sharīʿa) in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Definition of early marriage
There is no accepted age of marriage in United Nations (UN) instruments; nor do these clearly state when a girl is too young to marry. Although the…
Cite this page
Moosa, Najma,
“Child Marriage: Sub-Saharan Africa, Overview”, in:
Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures, General Editor Suad Joseph.
Consulted online on 05 December 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1872-5309_ewic_EWICCOM_0162e>