A forced marriage is a union where one or both parties enter into the marriage without their free and valid consent. This practice differs fundamentally from an arranged marriage, where families assist in finding a partner, but the individuals retain the ultimate right to choose whether to accept the union. Coercion in forced marriages takes many forms, ranging from direct physical violence and emotional blackmail to severe psychological pressure and threats from family or community members. Victims often experience a total loss of autonomy over their bodies, reproductive choices, and life paths. In clinical settings across Nigeria, nurses must recognize that this practice affects not only young girls and adolescents but sometimes adult men and women as well, cutting across various religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Forced marriage inflicts profound, long-lasting damage on physical and psychological well-being. Physically, young women and girls face severe reproductive health risks due to early sexual initiation and adolescent pregnancy, leading to conditions such as obstetric fistula, sexually transmitted infections, and high maternal morbidity rates. Chronic physical abuse, neglect, and forced labor further compromise general health.
Psychologically, victims frequently suffer from severe depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic suicidal ideation. The constant threat of violence creates a persistent state of high stress, trapping individuals in a cycle of helplessness. Healthcare providers treating these patients must look beyond acute physical injuries and evaluate underlying mental health distress.
Recognizing victims of forced marriage requires vigilance because patients rarely disclose their situation directly due to fear or shame. Nurses should observe behavioral cues during clinical encounters, such as an accompanying family member who insists on answering all questions, overt anxiety, withdrawn behavior, or unexplained physical injuries.
Healthcare providers must conduct assessments in a private, confidential setting away from family or spouses. Asking direct, compassionate screening questions helps establish safety. A common clinical mistake is assuming that a distressed or injured young woman is merely dealing with routine domestic stress rather than probing deeper into coercion or forced union.
Forced marriage violates multiple domestic and international human rights standards, including the right to personal liberty, freedom from torture or degrading treatment, and the right to freely choose a spouse. In Nigeria, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act explicitly criminalizes forced marriage, prescribing jail terms and fines for offenders. Furthermore, the Child Rights Act prohibits the marriage of anyone under the age of eighteen, protecting minors from premature unions. Despite these legal protections, enforcement remains weak across various regions due to jurisdictional conflicts with customary and religious laws, leaving many victims without adequate local legal recourse.
Addressing forced marriage requires teamwork that goes beyond the capacity of nursing staff alone. Nurses must collaborate closely with social workers, law enforcement agencies, legal aid providers, and community leaders to protect vulnerable individuals. Social workers assist with emergency housing and rehabilitation, while legal aid helps victims understand their rights under the VAPP Act.
Beyond individual care, nurses play a vital advocacy role in community education. Engaging local chiefs, religious figures, and youth groups helps challenge harmful traditional practices at the grassroots level. Advocating for policy implementation ensures that laws protecting women and children are actively enforced across all states.