Child Brides As Collateral: The Quiet Persistence Of Modern Slavery In Becheve
READ THE FIRST PART OF THIS INVESTIGATION HERE.
A Serene Community with a Dark Undercurrent
NESTLED near the Obudu Mountain Resort, Becheve community in Cross River State presents an image of tranquillity—lush hills, cool climate, and a slow, rhythmic pace of life. Yet beneath this calm exterior lies a deeply entrenched practice widely described by rights advocates as a form of modern slavery: “money marriage.”
This system involves the exchange of young girls—sometimes unborn—as repayment for debts or as collateral for loans. Payments may come in the form of cash, livestock, or food, but the consequences for the girls involved are lifelong.
Childhood Traded for Debt
Investigations reveal a pattern of systemic abuse sustained by cultural norms and economic desperation. Victims are often unaware of their marital status until adolescence, when sexual relations begin.
One survivor, married off at eight to a man nearly 70 years old, described years of abuse and forced motherhood beginning at 15. Her attempt to escape was met with violence from relatives who insisted she honour the “covenant” binding her to the union.
Such accounts are not isolated. In several cases, girls are pledged before birth, with agreements activated once a female child is born. This intergenerational cycle has normalised the commodification of female children.
Culture, Fear, and Social Pressure
The practice is reinforced by belief systems and social pressure. Families fear spiritual repercussions tied to breaking traditional covenants, including alleged death rituals—claims that, though unverified, remain powerful deterrents.
Men, meanwhile, derive social status from acquiring multiple “money wives,” further entrenching the system. Community members report that such unions are often celebrated rather than questioned.
Education and Health Consequences
The implications extend beyond human rights violations into public health and education crises. Many victims drop out of school immediately after marriage, contributing to rising out-of-school rates among girls.
In Cross River, nearly a quarter of girls are married before 18, according to available data, while over a million children remain out of school.
Medical experts warn that early pregnancies expose girls to severe complications, including obstructed labour, infertility, and conditions such as vesicovaginal fistula. These risks are compounded by limited access to healthcare in rural communities.
Legal Framework vs. Reality
Despite the domestication of the Child Rights Act in Cross River State, enforcement remains weak. Laws prohibiting child marriage and protecting minors have not translated into effective community-level action.
Efforts by advocacy groups like Her Voice Foundation have led to increased awareness and a reported decline in open practice since 2020. However, investigations indicate that money marriage persists discreetly.
Resistance and Reform Efforts
Civil society organisations have intensified interventions through community dialogues, education programmes, and economic empowerment initiatives. Some former “money wives” are now receiving literacy training and vocational support.
Yet, structural challenges—poverty, weak enforcement, and cultural resistance—continue to hinder progress.
A System Yet to Be Dismantled
While traditional leaders claim the practice has been abolished, evidence suggests otherwise. Residents confirm that transactions still occur behind closed doors.
The absence of a coordinated government response further complicates efforts to eradicate the system. Without sustained enforcement, funding, and community engagement, advocates warn that the practice may persist for generations.
