The Limits of Child Agency?

Abstract This article explores how communities and development practitioners conceptualise children’s agency. It highlights contradictions within non-government organisations ( ngo ) United Nations (UN) narratives on child marriage: children are said to exercise agency when they defy forced marriage, yet lack knowledge choice if themselves decide marry. is based interviews focus group discussions with in Somalia Cameroon, both countries. The findings highlight four themes: child-led marriages a newer practice; often temporary; believe too young agency; question whether can make decisions. These have implications for marriage interventions, highlighting the need “agency” be conceptualised less narrowly. For s, UN agencies policy-makers, requires reflecting what it means accept community choices, irrespective of outcome positive or negative.