GENDER DYNAMICS AND CRIMINALIZATION OF CHILD MARRIAGE IN GHANA: Beyond exploitation and chronological age

This chapter examines the gender dynamics and criminalization of child marriage in Ghana, challenging the conventional portrayal of the practice as inherently exploitative. While international frameworks often define child marriage through a rigid chronological lens, this chapter argues that childhood and adulthood are socially constructed categories influenced by cultural, economic, and familial factors. By exploring various forms of marriage in Ghana—infant betrothal, arranged marriages, and preferential marriages—the chapter highlights the complex interplay between tradition, family dynamics, and individual agency. It critiques the universal application of age-based norms, drawing attention to the socio-cultural context in which early marriages are often perceived as pragmatic solutions to economic or social challenges. The chapter also addresses the limitations of legal frameworks in addressing child marriage, emphasizing the need for context-sensitive interventions that balance human rights concerns with cultural relativity. Ultimately, the chapter calls for a nuanced understanding of child marriage, recognizing it as a multifaceted issue shaped by broader societal structures and gendered expectations.