In July 2019, a 10-year-old girl in Entonet, Kajiado South, Kenya, was rescued from a forced marriage to a 45-year-old man.
The rescue operation, led by police officers and anti-female genital mutilation (FGM) activist Dorcas Parit, was initiated after a villager alerted authorities to the ongoing dowry negotiations. Upon arrival at the homestead, the man had fled, leaving the minor alone. Kenyan legislation imposes severe penalties for those who marry underage individuals, including imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to Sh1 million, or both. However, child marriage remains prevalent in many Kenyan communities, driven by cultural practices and economic hardships.
The 2011 Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act and the 2014 Marriage Act provide a robust legal framework to protect children, but full implementation of these laws remains challenging with many perpetrators evading punishment. In contrast to Kenya’s efforts to combat child marriage, Iraq faces a potential regression in child protection laws. A proposed bill in the Iraqi parliament aims to lower the legal marriage age for girls to nine years old. This amendment to the Personal Status Law has sparked significant controversy and global protests, with women’s rights activists arguing that it would effectively legalize child rape.
If enacted, the bill would grant religious authorities power over family affairs, including marriage, divorce, and childcare. The situation in Iraq is not unique in the region. In neighbouring Iran, the minimum age for marriage with parental consent is 13 for girls and 15 for boys, while marriage without parental consent requires girls to be 15 and boys 18. Despite these regulations, child marriage remains a significant issue in Iran, driven by poverty and traditional practices.
Global efforts to combat child marriage continue with organizations like UNICEF and Girls Not Brides working to raise awareness and support community-based interventions. However, the proposed changes in Iraq’s marriage laws serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to uphold children’s rights and ensure their safety and well-being worldwide.
No doubt this proposal has…
No doubt this proposal has been initiated by men.What a shame. With all the knowledge we have about human development,and human rights,why would anyone want to partake in this”legalized molestation”and destroy a child’s life? Can a child that age really consent to marriage,or is her voice irrelevant…? Who speaks for her,and her welfare?
Now here is the part that confounds me, most. Mohammad the Prophet married Aisha when she was 6years old,and consummated the marriage when she was 9.Remember according to Muslims, Mohammad is the perfect example of humanity,at all times.All humans are supposed to follow his way of life..If I were a Muslim, that alone would make me wonder about my religion.Isitoshe,a man who is supposed to be paragon of morality ,married his step son’s wife after lusting after her.Some of you may recall that any married woman Mohammad lusted after was supposed to divorce her husband and avail her self to the prophet.It’s there in Islamic books.
I had to digress a little to mention the origin of why child marriage is hard to “extinguish ” in the Muslim world;Our beloved prophet did it…
Let’s join these women in protesting and protecting these girls from lascivious men hiding in religion and culture to molest children.There is no way around this barbaric act,with its twin sister FGM.Not in 2024. Heck not even in 1970… it’s way over due.
???
???
???
Ndugu Maxiley: …
???
???
???
Ndugu Maxiley: Nakuvulia kofia ??? ya tarabushi kwa maoni yako mazuri.
Dini nī sehemu moja muhimu ya mila za watu. Kwa hiyo, huwezi kuchukua dini ya mtu mwingine ambaye si wa taifa na pia asili yako.
Matatizo makubwa tuliyo nayo kwenye bara letu la COHO (Continent of Human Origins) ni kuwa wepesi kuiga (quick to imitate) mambo na imani ya watu wengine bila Kufikiri Kwa Kina (KKK) au kwa Kiingereza, “Lack of Critical Thinking Skills” (LOCTS).
Hebu niambie: kwa nini baada ya miaka 60 tangu tupate Uhuru tungali (we still) na:
1. Majina bandia ya kigeni?
2. Dini bandia za kigeni?
3. Mila za ajabu za kigeni?
JIBU:
1. Ukosefu wa KKK au LOCTS.
2. Tunajichukia.
Ndugu Imara Daima, those…
Ndugu Imara Daima, those questions you raise are unfortunately not confronted by Africans who may effect change. Nonetheless, the biggest casualty of colonialism has been the self doubt mzungu planted in mwafrika,and that he has nothing good to offer other than his muscle,and natural resources.And mwafrika bought into it.That’s why he is fighting to be like mzungu in culture,names, eating, walking,smiling,sex,and even talking…Not to mention how he dresses.In parliament he stresses that all present dress like mzungu.Wow! talk of brain washing.
“Dini nī sehemu moja muhimu…
“Dini nī sehemu moja muhimu ya mila za watu. Kwa hiyo, huwezi kuchukua dini ya mtu mwingine ambaye si wa taifa na pia asili yako”.
I totally agree with you.And if we could only employ critical thinking,we would come up with what is good,and avoid what is destructive.Yes sometimes we follow traditions,customs,and culture without questioning and that is very dangerous. I believe we can truly advance our development and progress inhumanity, if we could only employ what science tells us about ourselves as human beings.For example there is no reason to knock off your front teeth . They are very useful for biting.There is also no reason for FGM.And who can argue for child marriage other than a pedophile?