Explanatory factors of child marriage in three districts of the Kayes region: Kayes, Kéniéba and Yélimané

Abstract

In the Mali Demographic and Health Survey (EDSM-2018), it appears that the Kayes region is one of the regions where the median age of women aged 25-49 in a union is less than 18, the legal age of entering into a union. It also emerges from the same document that child marriage has repercussions on the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and young people with early pregnancies whose consequences relate to the after-effects of childbirth. This article, drawn from the study on child marriage, teenage pregnancies and priority sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents and young people in the Kayes region, provides some explanatory factors for child marriage in the Kayes region. This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. The methodology used to carry it out was a mixed approach with quantitative and qualitative components enriched by a documentary review. It involved 600 individuals (adolescents aged 15-19 and young people aged 20-24) for the quantitative component and 70 people in individual interviews and focus groups for the qualitative component. The targets of this component were; agents for the promotion of women, children and the family, heads of NGOs working in the field of child rights protection, women leaders, married men and community leaders. The study was carried out over a period of 45 days between August and October 2024. The study locations were the circle of Kayes, Kéniéba and Yélimané. The results show that the most determining factor in child marriage is the early sexuality of adolescent girls. The fear of pregnancies outside marriage and respect for cultural traditions or religious interpretations are the main reasons given to justify child marriage in the three circles of the Kayes region. To combat the practice of child marriage, respondents recommend emphasizing communication for social and behavioral change based on the consequences that result from it and adapting approaches to the socio-cultural realities of the localities.