Global Condemnation Rises Against Child Marriage as 13-Year-Old Reportedly Forced into Union

The practice of child marriage continues to draw international condemnation, highlighted by a recent social media post detailing the alleged forced marriage of a 13-year-old girl to a 29-year-old man, with the girl reportedly stating, "We can't refuse. Islam doesn't allow it." This incident underscores the persistent challenge of child marriage, a practice widely recognized as a violation of human rights.

Globally, marriage before the age of 18 is a fundamental human rights violation, affecting millions of girls and boys. Factors contributing to this practice include poverty, social norms, and inadequate legal frameworks, as reported by UNICEF. While the prevalence of child marriage is slowly declining, progress is not uniform, with regions like West and Central Africa still experiencing high rates.

Islamic jurisprudence, while not specifying a minimum age in religious texts, emphasizes that individuals must reach comprehensive maturity and sound judgment before entering into a marriage contract. Organizations like Islamic Relief consider 18 to be the minimum age at which young people possess the necessary maturity to fulfill marital responsibilities. Many Muslim-majority countries have also established 18 as the legal minimum age for marriage, aligning with international human rights standards.

However, some countries, such as Iran, permit girls to marry as young as 13, and Yemen sets the minimum age at 15. In practice, religious ceremonies may sometimes occur before official registration, potentially leaving child brides vulnerable without legal protections. Forced marriages are explicitly considered invalid in Islam, which requires the free and informed consent of both parties.

The consequences of child marriage are severe, often leading to early pregnancy, social isolation, interruption of schooling, and increased risk of domestic violence. International conventions, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, advocate for a minimum marriage age of 18 and the protection of children from exploitation. Efforts to combat child marriage focus on education, legal reforms, and challenging social norms that perpetuate the harmful practice.