How marriage at 13 made me useless
Aisha, a young vibrant girl of 15, had planned to further her education in the university and eventually settle down with the man of her dreams, Umaru. She believed her parents had the same visions for her as an only child. But little did she know that fate had another plan for her.

How marriage at 13 made me useless

–VVF victim

By Davisca Nnamani,

Special Correspondent

Aisha, a young vibrant girl of 15, had planned to further her education in the university and eventually settle down with the man of her dreams, Umaru. She believed her parents had the same visions for her as an only child. But little did she know that fate had another plan for her.

One night after supper, Aisha was called  to her father’s chambers where an elderly man of 54 was introduced as her husband to be. Without much words, she refused the offer. But was shocked beyond words when a date for the wedding was announced to her .Her dreams, hopes and love died that night. Many months after the wedding, Aisha became pregnant. It wasn’t easy, but as a strong-hearted child, she was determined to pull through.

The day of delivery came and Aisha discovered that strength had nothing to do with it, despite the pushing and screaming, the baby refused to come out, but when it finally did, it was discovered that the mother’s bladder was affected because at her age she was still too tender to undergo the rigors of childbirth. When told of the situation, her husband was devastated. He left the hospital and till date nothing was ever heard of him. Left to face the pains alone, Aisha and her parents did not know what to do. But the reality stared them in the face – she had become useless for life.

Vagina Vestula Fistula (VVF) as it is popularly known, has been in existence from the onset. It occurs “when the bladder is suppressed and damaged by the weight of an unborn child in the uterus of a young female whose systems are not matured enough for the process of child-bearing. This brings about complications whereby the woman starts leaking urine uncontrollably from her private part,” says Dr. Idiong Mbang of the Lagos State University Teaching hospital. Over 60 per cent of young girls are affected with the scourge every year. And statistics show that 50 per cent of them are northerners.

“It is a very serious issue in the medical world, just like HIV/AIDS, it has no cure. The only solution is to place a cellophane bag tied around her waist to prevent the urine from spilling out. It is a terrible situation,” Dr. Mbang states.

The victims of this circumstance are young, under-aged girls, most of them from the northern part of Nigeria. It is a serious issue that must be addressed.

Out there in the streets are many helpless innocent girls, who may fall victim to this scourge. Asabe Abdullahi, a JSS 2 student of Sardauna Memorial College, Kachia, testifies: “At the age of 12 my parents wanted to give me away to a man they claimed was my husband. I vehemently refused, but after much treats by my father I succumbed. Only to find myself in this situation. Everyday I curse my parents for allowing me pass through this pain and misery.” A VVF patient is a sight to behold. She smells of urine all over and most times is easily identified with the tied cellophane bag around them. Several conferences have been held to stop the idea of early marriages among the teenage girls. “In places like Kano, Sokoto, Zaria for instance, local counselling and campaigns are conducted in villages and small communities to discourage the inhuman act,” Mrs. Esther Ajoko of the Save The Girl Child From VVF Association, says.

Each day people are faced with different health problems, but never has any been as disturbing and intimidating as the leaking of uncontrollable urine from an ignorant child. “Nothing can be done to stop the VVF from affecting the girl, but something can be done to stop another girl from being affected. If parents can stop early marriages, then we would have reduced the problem. You cannot expect doctors to control VVF when many young girls are pushed into early  marriage and premature child birth. However, it is advisable to wait until one is biologically ripe for the process of child birth. You see, our body metabolism works with scientific maturity and not age,” said Dr. Akanu James of the Military Hospital, Lagos.

The pathetic story of Rukayat Shogunle is one that will jingle the ears. “I was born into a family of nine. My parents were so poor we could hardly afford a meal. When I reached the age of 13, my father had to give me out in marriage to an Islamic teacher, who promised to take good care of me. On our wedding night, he tried performing his marital duties on me, and in the process injured me. I felt pains, but thought it was not a serious thing. When the pains continued, we went to see a doctor at a local hospital, who said I was too young to have sex. He advised that I should not try having children yet. But unknown to them I was already pregnant. When I finally had the baby at home, with the aid of an elderly woman, few days later I noticed uncontrollable flow of urine passing down my legs.

“When I notified my husband, he waved it off. But he could not take it anymore when my house began to smell of urine. On seeking medical help, we were told that my body systems were too tender for child bearing, thus the weight of the baby damaged my bladder. I was told I would remain that way, and the only way they could help me was to gauge the urine with a rubber pipe and a plastic sack. I became an object of ridicule and pity.

“When my husband couldn’t stand the smell anymore, he took me back to my family, saying I was a witch and God had revealed it through my predicament. My child was taken away from me, but later brought back to my parents. Whenever I pass by, people cover their noses, for the smell is terrible on me. Just like a flash of light, I have become an object of ridicule and scorn.”

The scourge of VVF has destroyed many homes and several young aspiring girls that would have grown to become future leaders of tomorrow. Girls with pregnant dreams abandoned at the mercy of their fate with no hope of a cure. This is an issue that must be addressed with all seriousness. The government  has already been working to see that this scourge stops completely. As we move into 2004, our motto should be, “fight Vaginal Vestula Fistula”. Just like we are fighting AIDS, polio and other diseases.