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Child Marriage: A Crime Demanding Serious Action (by Malek Baroudi)
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The issue of child marriage is one of the most prominent concerns occupying global public opinion, sparking widespread debate on ethical and legal grounds. This phenomenon, deeply rooted in some societies, represents a flagrant violation of children's rights and has significant repercussions on their future and that of the entire community.
Article 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child defines a child as "every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier." Linguistically, the term "age of majority" refers to the age at which a person legally becomes an adult, typically 18 or 21 years. This definition carefully emphasizes mental maturity rather than sexual maturity.
From an ethical standpoint, child marriage is an unforgivable crime because it blatantly violates children's rights. It deprives them of their childhood, educational opportunities, and development, forcing them into a life filled with responsibilities far beyond their age. For girls in particular, it destroys their future by denying them the right to choose a life partner, exposing them to violence and exploitation, and increasing the risk of early pregnancy and associated health complications. Moreover, it undermines gender equality by perpetuating discrimination against women, marrying them off as children when they lack the experience or capacity to make decisions about their own lives.
Legally, laws on the minimum age for marriage vary from country to country, but the vast majority consider child marriage a punishable crime. These laws are grounded in fundamental principles, including children's rights, as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that every child has the right to protection from exploitation and sexual abuse, including early marriage. Additionally, the principle of the best interest of the child must guide all decisions concerning them, including marriage. Gender equality is another key principle enshrined in laws to protect young girls from all forms of discrimination.
The causes of child marriage are diverse, with the most significant being adherence to traditions and religious dictates. In some societies, early marriage is considered part of cultural heritage, and in Islamic contexts, it is viewed as divinely ordained, often citing the example of the Prophet’s marriage to Aisha, who was six years old and consummated at nine. Poverty is another major factor, leading many families to marry off their daughters at a young age, believing it will alleviate financial burdens. Similarly, some families send their children to work instead of school to earn money. In Muslim societies, fear of dishonor is a significant driver, leading families to marry off daughters who have committed or might commit sexual "mistakes" to preserve family honor—a concept closely tied to the control of women's sexuality.
The negative consequences of child marriage are extensive and cannot be fully addressed in a single study. They include severe health risks for young brides, such as complications from pregnancy and childbirth, pelvic diseases, and sexually transmitted infections. Psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, and isolation are also common. Additionally, child marriage often leads to lower levels of education, denying girls their right to learn and adversely affecting their economic and social futures, as well as society as a whole, since women constitute half of it.
It is the duty of every rational person to combat the phenomenon of child marriage. On an individual level, raising awareness is crucial. Society must be educated about the harms of child marriage and encouraged to challenge the view of this practice as either a cultural tradition to preserve or a religious commandment to adhere to. On a societal and political level, strict laws must be enacted to criminalize child marriage, punish offenders, and provide legal protection for girls. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as seen in Iraq's Shiite-dominated parliament, which in 2024 approved amendments to personal status laws, lowering the marriage age to 15 for boys and nine for girls, based on religious doctrines rooted in Khomeini's controversial rulings.
International cooperation is essential to combat this phenomenon, involving the exchange of expertise and information. Women should also be economically and socially empowered to play an active role in society rather than remaining marginalized.
Child marriage is a grave crime against humanity that requires collective efforts to eradicate. Governments, civil society, families, and individuals must take responsibility for combating this practice, protecting children's rights, and building a society rooted in justice and equality—one where the future holds promise.
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