Global Voices Online

Madagascar:Fistula and Early Marriages.

Friday, July 18th, 2008 @ 19:42 UTC

by Lova Rakotomalala

Countries:: Madagascar
Topics:: Children, Education, Gender, Health, Law
Languages:: French

This post is also available in:

mg:: Madagasikara: Fanambadiana aloha loatra sy fahasimban'ny taova...
pt:: Madagascar: Fístulas e Casamentos Precoces...

Mialy, a blogger in Antananarivo, describes the plight of young married girls in rural areas who are subject to health and social concerns stemming from early pregnancy (fr). She explains that fistula, a consequence of giving birth at an early age, results in incontinences and therefore health complications compounded with social rejections. Malagasy laws allowed girls to be married as early as 14 years-old until 2007. Health care costs and lack of education are the two other main aggravating factors.

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