Forced marriage is a global problem which is not specific to a singular religion, sect, or culture.
Within many tribal or patriarchal societies, tradition prevails law, whereby young girls are robbed of their rights.
In countries like Iran, Egypt, Afghanistan and rural areas of Pakistan and Sindh, forced marriage is a common custom.
Despite UK laws that prevent forced marriage from happening, reports show that forced marriages still occur.
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) data shows that in the last ten years, there were 3,354 marriages involving children aged 16 and 17 registered in England and Wales.
However, the new legal age to marry at 18, which will be applied across England and Wales and not Scotland and Northern Ireland, might make it harder for forced marriages to occur.
A Leeds based specialist, national charity for honour-based abuse and forced marriage, says they worked with the government to get the bill passed.
Established in 1993, ‘Karma Nirvana’ delivers one of the Home Office’s National Helpline, which is the specialist helpline for victims of underaged marriage.
Speaking to Natasha Rattu the Executive Director for the charity, she told Asian Sunday that “over COVID there has definitely been an impact, which is owing to the travel restrictions and marriage restrictions.”
However, as outlined by the UK Home Office in 2019, a 10% decrease in forced marriage, compared to 2018, could be attributed to reasons derived from the coronavirus pandemic, such as restrictions on weddings and overseas travel.
The charity director also said “we found that as were coming out of the pandemic we’re seeing that calls are starting to increase now that people don’t have the same restrictions that they had before.
“In respect to child marriage more specifically, we’ve seen an increase in contacts, and I think that’s because the campaign has really put the issue on people’s radar” argues Miss Rattu.
Farhana Raval, survivor ambassador says she supports the campaign as a victim of forced marriage.
A key part of campaign, she used her lived experiences, to speak to ministers, MPs and various officials.
Sharing her story online, Farhana talks about how the concept of “pride” and “shame” was high currency for her mum and that she endured years of suffering to avoid “familial isolation and shame she would feel if I divorced.”
Retrospectively, she says it took her 20 years to realise that she was a victim of a forced marriage, after being flown to Bangladesh at the age of 16.
“I realise now that a great part of the consequences of forced marriage is deliberate, the long term hold over victims is designed to create continual indebtedness and dependence, with feelings of guilt or duty.”
An Independent Mental Health advocate also shares her thoughts on the matter.
Sharleen Saha says she would advocate for a higher age limit of marriage, as “cognitively, I believe that we are not fully developed prior to our 20s, as research shows a woman’s brain is fully developed by 21 and 25 for men.”
Miss Saha reinstates that she is pro the minimum age being raised because “at 18 we are more financially independent so it would be easier to get away from a coercive or forced marriage situation.”
Also in support of the new legislation is Halo Project Charity, a national project that supports victims of honour-based violence and forced marriages.
Director of the charity, Noreen Riaz says “we are very pleased to hear the legal age of marriage and civil partnership has been raised to 18 and it that it also applies to cultural and religious marriages.”
Miss Riaz says the charity concurs with the new law.
“It is paramount we protect our children, and this legislation will act as a deterrent to those forcing young people into a marriage under duress.”
The charity urges that different communities and schools must come together to ensure victims, potential victims and their families are aware of the new rules, as they state, “child marriage means child abuse-we must do all we can to protect children and change societal attitudes.”
If you have been a victim of forced marriage, seek help by getting in to contact with a helpline. Visit karmanirvana.org.uk or call on 0800 5999 247
