The human's rights minister of Yemen says enough is enough when an eight-year-old girl reportedly dies of internal injuries that were inflicted on her wedding night. Last week, reports of an eight-year-old Rawan, from the northern Yemeni town of Haradh, died after being married off to a 40-year-old man. Internationally, as well as within Yemen, the populace was fuming, and horrified. The residents of Haradh told the local media that her death was caused by internal bleeding, which was believed to be a result of sexual contact. The local officials, however, denied this claim to be true. Hooria Mashhour, the human's rights minister of Yemen, declared that enough is enough.
"This isn't the first time a child marriage has happened in Yemen, so we should not focus only on this case," Mashhour said.
"Many child marriages take place every year in Yemen. It's time to end this practice."
"I personally have (talked to) the human rights coordinator for the ministry on the ground in Haradh," said Mashhour, "and he informed me that nearly everyone he spoke to is denying the story, but he feels strongly suspicious. We feel people may be hiding information due to fear."
How do you feel about children being married off? Do you believe that child marriage should be banned from Yemen?
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/15/world/meast/yemen-child-bride/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Replies
Excellent job on both of your forum posts Abby!
I think you should have to be an adult to get married, but I know there is other places in the world that do this also. It's been a part of their culture for a long time, and it would be very hard to make a law against it.
This is terrible! It disgusts me that young children are being forced to marry someone almost 4x their age and old enough to be their parent. I feel terrible for these kids and I'm very glad that Yemen is taking a step in the right direction in ending this awful practice. I also hope that other countries who have practices like Yemen stop, and that they learn to treat children, especially girls, properly.
OHMYGOSH! That's horrible. I can't believe child marriage isn't outlawed at age 8! I knew in some parts of the world it was normal for like 15 or 16 year olds to be married off. But not 8.. I think Yemen should outlaw child marriage.
Yep, I have heard of children getting married at those ages, as well, so this was a bit of a shock to read about. Eight is extremely young, and I don't see how someone could see this as a "right" relationship, even on child marriage standards. Hopefully they will be able to ban child marriage in Yemen with this as a backup for their claim.
I think that child marriage should be banned... It's just creepy that a 40 year old would get married to an 8 year old. It's extremely wrong and these children shouldn't have to go through this.
It's rather shocking, to hear about things like this when the U.S. focuses on (typically) marrying later on. I agree that it is wrong, and that it should be stopped.
At that age children aren't developed yet. I think that it should be outlawed because imagine what that is doing to that child at such a young age.
Yes, I agree. This is exactly what types of things should never happen to children, but it seems that it does; and Yemen is not the only country to still have child marriage legal, so this could be happening anywhere where it is a common occurrence.
This is extremely wrong, and I believe that the child marriage should be banned. An 8 year old marrying a 40 year old man is just gross, and the outcome of this particular case is very sad. Yes, in some countries children get married at a younger age than we do here in the US, but 8 is just way too young and I hope it becomes illegal.
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