Changes and continuities in the practices of child marriage: Evidence from Kewet and Bahir Dar Zuria Woredas, Amhara region

Abstract Background Despite the coordinated efforts Ethiopia has exerted against child marriage, the practice continues to negatively affect rural girls. Child marriage is embedded in the social structures (social norms and values) of rural communities. In this research, we investigated social structure factors that enable child marriage and intend to give insights into emergent agency of young people in actively taking actions against child marriage. Methods A mixed research approach combining quantitative and qualitative research methods was used to generate data from young people (15–24 years) residing in Kewet and Bahir Dar Zuria woredas, Amhara region. The quantitative sample consisted of 1.602 respondents while 23 qualitative interviews were conducted with young people, parents, community and religious leaders, teachers, health extension workers, women and children affairs’ officers and NGO staff. Results We found that child marriage was present among 37% of the respondent girls, aged 18–24 years. Further evidence of the continued practice of child marriage came from 62% of the respondents who indicated that they knew underage girls who got married without their consent. The view that child marriage is related to social norms (emphasizing girls’ ‘sexual purity’ and community perception of ‘a good wife’) was supported by 74% of the respondents. For some parents, marrying off daughters early was considered a source of income (via bride wealth payments) for the household; and for many, daughters were seen as source of social and political capital by establishing marital bonds between families. However, we witnessed young people are taking initiatives (via school clubs, mini-media activities, youth groups) to challenge the age-old practice of child marriage by postponing marriage proposals in favor of education and economic empowerment. Conclusion This study’s findings underscore the need for the development of an educational curriculum relevant to the needs of young people with a focus on creating local opportunities for employment and economic activities. Through education, program interventions addressing unequal gender norms and improved local economic opportunities for young people, child marriage can be history.