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Child Brides
Article Dated : Tuesday, 15 Dec 2009 19:10
Another practice that degrades the status of women is that of Child Brides. Throughout the world, the problem of early, forced marriages of children is considered to be a violation of basic human rights. It has been estimated that 49 countries have a significant child bride problem where children under the age of 18 years are forced into arranged marriages with much older men.
In 2006 there was estimated to be more than 60 million child brides, females under the age of 18 years who were forced into marriage.
Recently CNN ran an article which reported a Saudi judge´s refusal to annul a marriage between an 8 year old girl and a friend of her estranged father. The marriage had been arranged in order to settle a personal debt. This case is still being appealed in the Saudi courts.
In some cultures child brides are treated like slaves doing menial work. They are mistreated and beaten, and in some cases tortured. In some situations escaping is futile as there is no place for them to go for protection.
Often communities that hold to the practice of child brides do not see the point in educating girls.
Donna McDermid Memorial Fund