Recently I posted the piece Yemen Fights to Ban Child Marriages, for which a law to set the minimum age for marriage in Yemen at 17 years-old is under heavy debate and protest. While the battle to pass the law rages on the situation of child brides in Yemen has turned deadly.
A 12-year-old Yemeni girl, recently died due to internal bleeding, which was the result of intercourse only three days after her marriage to a man twice her age (CNN). However this case is not the first reported of a child bride directly dying as a direct result of their all too innocent youthful, forced marriages, as in September 2009 a 12 year-old child bride died during child birth, her baby also died as a result of the complicated birth (AP).
Sadly child marriage is not isolated to Yemen and nor are the consequences. Child marriages continue in many countries around the globe and it is estimated that in the developing world 1/3 of girls are married as children. Poverty and economic hardships continue to fuel an increase in the practice in Afghanistan, India, Ethiopia, and all too many other countries across the globe. Girls married at an early age are at a greater risk of abuse, of which in extreme instances abuse can result in death, or honor killings, if a girl attempts to flee an abusive husband. In many countries the myth of using sex with a virgin to cure sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, remains widely common place. Girls who marry young, consequently give birth young, and therefore have an increased risk for complications or even death in childbirth. Child brides are also more likely to be voiceless in their marriage, regarding most, if not all major decisions. Children, both boys and girls, who are forced into marriage are also less likely to compete their education, maintain social circles.
Thus is an end to child marriage in sight? The end is sadly, but undoubtedly not one we will see in the near future. However the end is a shadow in the horizon, which can be reached in time with increased efforts and sustainable initiatives. The battle to end the practice of child marriage across the global is long, however it is not impossible if the international community and individual states step forward to ensure that the rights of children, especially girls, are ensured and protected. Gender discrimination must be put on the forefront of the agenda if one is to see an end to both the cycles of abuse and poverty. Communities must be educated regarding the effects of child marriage and all forms of gender discrimination, and then see that sustainable solutions are put in place. Making education available for girls, seeing families have alternatives to paying debts, eliminating poverty, providing health education on HIV/AIDS and other diseases, are all needed to end the suffering of girls across the globe.
Please see other posts on Child Marriage for more information.
