Early And Forced Marriage
Early marriage refers to any marriage of a child before the age of 18. This effects both boys and girls but girls are many targeted. This leaves children's with little education, skills, opportunity and self realization. Child marriage is now known asa a violation to children rights. Tradition, religion and poverty causing this action to continue. Many people are forced into marriage due to wealth and family reputation. Many are sometimes victims of emotionally being blackmailed or physically threatened. In south Asia many young people are tricked into visiting families only to later find out that there are plans of getting them married.
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The following story has been taken from an article from news.com.au
Aisha, 18
"I got married when I was just 10. At the time of the marriage, my husband was a school student, just 16 years old.
My father had a second wife and he had a conflict with them, so he gave me away in order to settle the conflict with the second wife's family. The marriage was arranged by family, it was not a forced marriage - but I was a little girl at the time, I did not know the meaning of marriage and accepted it because I did not know any better. My husband was really harsh with me because of the fact that I did not know what a marriage was, and what the duties of a wife were. He wanted a sexual relationship but I did not even know what that was at the time, and so he started beating me to get it. My hand was fractured, and also my eyes suffered injuries and were severely affected from the beatings. Very early on in the marriage, I fell pregnant twice. Both children died due to my extremely young age. No one could help me - everyone remained silent. I guess they thought this is a tradition - that every woman should be beaten by her husband and this is his right to get his demands, to get what he wants. I did not escape - I compromised with him and stayed for the sake of two children we now have (two more, after the first two died). My children are the reason I have stayed. And my father is old now, I can't hurt him by leaving so I will stay - it's tradition. This is a tradition here in my village (in the Bannu district). Most females get married at 10-12 years old. What I would say to other young girls in your position is never get married at an early age. If you do you will have psychological problems like I do. I don't get to live like other girls my age - and I never will. We need financial help, we need centers in this village - where we can be taught skills and work, and earn money for our families so we don't have to be sold as child brides. We also need mental health institutions so people with mental health issues like me can recover."
Aisha, 18
"I got married when I was just 10. At the time of the marriage, my husband was a school student, just 16 years old.
My father had a second wife and he had a conflict with them, so he gave me away in order to settle the conflict with the second wife's family. The marriage was arranged by family, it was not a forced marriage - but I was a little girl at the time, I did not know the meaning of marriage and accepted it because I did not know any better. My husband was really harsh with me because of the fact that I did not know what a marriage was, and what the duties of a wife were. He wanted a sexual relationship but I did not even know what that was at the time, and so he started beating me to get it. My hand was fractured, and also my eyes suffered injuries and were severely affected from the beatings. Very early on in the marriage, I fell pregnant twice. Both children died due to my extremely young age. No one could help me - everyone remained silent. I guess they thought this is a tradition - that every woman should be beaten by her husband and this is his right to get his demands, to get what he wants. I did not escape - I compromised with him and stayed for the sake of two children we now have (two more, after the first two died). My children are the reason I have stayed. And my father is old now, I can't hurt him by leaving so I will stay - it's tradition. This is a tradition here in my village (in the Bannu district). Most females get married at 10-12 years old. What I would say to other young girls in your position is never get married at an early age. If you do you will have psychological problems like I do. I don't get to live like other girls my age - and I never will. We need financial help, we need centers in this village - where we can be taught skills and work, and earn money for our families so we don't have to be sold as child brides. We also need mental health institutions so people with mental health issues like me can recover."