Oftentimes, people do not understand why forced marriage is a type of modern day slavery. Arranged marriages are common in different countries and cultures, right?

Although forced and arranged marriages might sound similar on the surface, they are not.

A forced marriage is when an individual is forced to marry someone else in a situation he or she cannot refuse. Sometimes, the victim is kidnapped and drugged to be forced into a relationship. Other times, a woman is raped with the intention to impregnate her so she will not be able to leave in countries where intercourse before marriage is forbidden. Forced marriage is also a tactic for men to force women into a relationship to receive a dowry from the woman’s family. 

Arranged marriages, on the other hand, are defined by the participants’ being able to consent. Usually, parents will search for a suitable partner for their son or daughter. Once the parents’ decision has been made, all parties agree and move forward with the marriage. 

Although forced marriage affects young boys and men, 88% of all victims are female, according to the 2016 Global Estimates of Modern Slavery report. 

Horrifyingly, 37% of all victims were less than 18 years old when they were forced to marry. These children are forced out of their education, their youth, and their freedom. In fact, When young girls and women in developing countries are forced into marriage, they often face higher rates of health complications, violence, and even death.

Forced marriage (including child marriage) is reported to occur most frequently in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Somalia, Turkey, Iraq, Sri Lanka, and Iran. 

To get involved in the fight against child marriage, visit https://www.girlsnotbrides.org

Sources:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/772ba2fc-2f1a-4db6-95fd-a58c0f0aca39

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/730155/2017_FMU_statistics_FINAL.pdf

https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—dgreports/—dcomm/documents/publication/wcms_575479.pdf

Featured image: https://www.goodshep.org.au/policy-research/forced-marriage-in-australia/