the physical and psychological development of women and girls. Child marriage poses a considerable threat to the survival and development of women and children, especially girls, children with disabilities, migrant children, children who are refugees and children in child headed households. Child marriage is correlated with early and frequent pregnancy, which in turn is associated with significantly higher rates of maternal morbidity, maternal mortality and infant mortality. Child marriage also curtails the right to development, as those who marry young are often forced to drop out of school or are precluded from participating in economic, political, social and other activities. Child marriage is also connected with increased exposure to the risk of domestic violence and because child marriage frequently results in social isolation, the protection needs of children and women in a child marriage often are not readily detected or met. D. Participation [13] Pursuant to Article 4(2) of the African Children’s Charter, a child has the right to communicate and express their views and opinions, subject to such restrictions as prescribed by law. These views must, in terms of Article 7 of the African Children’s Charter, be heard and taken into consideration in all judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child. Articles 4(2) and (7) are violated when children are betrothed or married without giving their personal, free and full consent. This includes instances where laws (whether statutory, customary or religious) regard the consent of legal guardians to be determinative. The participation rights of children are also violated when those convicted of rape are given the option to marry the victim in order to avoid criminal sanctions. Similarly, in circumstances 8