Abstract

This study uses consumer behavior theory to analyze the effects of educational attainments on early marriage among women in Malawi. A latent variable approach (LVA), from which a probit model is derived is used to estimate the effects of education attainments on early marriage among women. Within this framework, the study uses a conceptual model suggested by Sidibé (2005) relating to choices made by economic agents that involve two mutually exclusive decisions for welfare or utility maximization. This inter-temporal utility maximization problem involves deciding between marrying early on the one hand, and pursuing formal education on the other. The study controls for other factors such as ethnicity, religious affiliation, place of residence and district of origin that may also influence early marriages among women. The study finds that no or low formal education attainments (Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education and below) are positively correlated with early marriage among women, while higher attainments (Junior Certificate of Education and above) are associated with a delay in the women’s age at first marriage. The results are statistically significant and support both theory and empirical evidence with regard to the relationship between education attainments and early marriages. The study also finds ethnicity and religion to be factors influencing early marriage among women. The study finds that compared to women without any religious affiliation, those with a religious persuasion are likely to marry early. The results suggest that policy measures to keep girls in school beyond Primary School Leaving Certificate should assist in curbing early marriage in the country. The current measures such as the girls’ readmission policy, improving access, quality and learning environments are well informed but need to be implemented more decisively to increase the retention of girls in school. A cross-sector approach addressing poverty, including social protection measures should also assist in keeping girls in school and reduce early marriage. Further, legislating for a higher age at marriage, with attendant enforcement mechanisms such as birth registration and monitoring should assist in curbing early marriage among women.

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School	: School of Law, Economics and Government
Issued Date	: 2013

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