About Forced Marriage « The Pixel Project

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What is Forced Marriage?

In a forced marriage, either bride, groom or both are forced into a marriage against their will. They may be physically and/or emotionally threatened, usually by their families, or tricked into going abroad where they find themselves stranded without support or money, and with someone who demands their right of marriage.

Forced Marriage – Some Key Facts

Most victims of forced marriage are young women and girls. In some cases, young men and boys may be forced to marry if there are concerns about his sexual orientation^[1].
Forced marriage places a person at risk of child abuse, violence, rape, isolation, enforced pregnancy and/or abortion.
Forced marriage is a violation of internationally recognised human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 16(2), states that “Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.”^[2]
Refusing to marry can place a person at risk of murder, sometimes known as an “honour killing”.
An estimated 49 countries have a significant child bride problem^[3].
Forced marriage is especially widespread in countries with large Muslim populations, within clans upholding polygamous traditions.
In Afghanistan, it is estimated that over 38 percent of women^[4] have been victims of forced marriage.
On 25 February 2009, for the first time in history, three former leaders of Sierra Leone’s Revolutionary United Front (RUF) were convicted on the charge of “forced marriage”^[5], which prosecutors argued was a crime against the victims’ humanity.

Why does it happen?

Forced marriages can take place because of:

Family pride – Some families believe that to be honourable, their children must marry within their community or caste. Parents make arrangements for the marriage and threaten to disown their children if they do not consent.
Suspected homosexuality – If a person is deemed to be lesbian or gay, their family might force them into a heterosexual marriage to “cure” them.
Dowry – As poverty and economic conditions worsen, forced marriages have increased in Africa in the last decade where families often receive hundreds to thousands of dollars as marriage dowry^[6].

What’s it like to live in a Forced Marriage?

Short answer – bad. The girl is frequently subordinate to her spouse and has little choice over matters like her reproductive rights, rights to an education, or whom she can befriend. She may even be a prisoner in her own home.

What happens to those who try to rebel?

They may be disowned, rejected, or kicked out of the house by their parents. Often, violence is used—those who rebel may be regularly beaten up by their husbands. In extreme cases, those who reject forced marriage may be murdered.

How is it different from an arranged marriage?

In an arranged marriage, both the bride and groom can choose whether or not they agree to the person suggested to them by their families. In a forced marriage, there is no freedom of choice.

Why should Forced Marriages be stopped?

Being stuck with someone you didn’t choose and having no control over your life can drive people to depression, self-harming and worse yet, suicide.

“Living a life you don’t want can often seem worse than not living at all.”^[7]

I would like to do something about Forced Marriage. How can I help?

Glad you asked! Find out more here.

Would you like to know more about Forced Marriage?

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it is a start. If you would like to find out more, go here.

Get the Forced Marriage and Honour Killing Checksheet here.

About Forced Marriage