Gender, development and marriage

Abstract

This collection of articles explores how marriage is linked to gender inequalities, women’s human rights, and development policy. It examines the economic, social, cultural, and health impacts of women’s marital status and the implications for development initiatives. A range of issues are covered including:* early marriage in Eastern Nigeria and the health consequences for young mothers * marriage and male-female relations among poor urban African-Americans* trends and effects of early marriage in the South * negotiating violence and non-violence in Cambodian marriages * dowry and ‘groom-price’ in India * harmful marriage practices and women’s human rights in Kerala.The contributors bring new insights into the impacts of early and forced marriage, violence against women, and poverty and inequality within marriage. They demonstrate the need for gender analysis to be fully mainstreamed into all development initiatives, in order to address these inequalities and safeguard women’s human rights within marriage.