These horrible news just struck the world: An 8-year old child from Yemen died on her wedding night. Her death was caused by internal injuries from sexual trauma. Human rights organizations from all around the world are asking for the husband, who’s 5 times her age, to be arrested.
“According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), between 2011 and 2020, more than 140 million girls will become child brides. Furthermore, of the 140 million girls who will marry before the age of 18, 50 million will be under the age of 15.”
The report stated that more than a quarter of Yemen’s young girls get married before they even turn 15. Not only these children lose their access to education and health, but they’re also suffering emotional, physical and sexual violence.
One of the main issues of HRC (Human Rights Campaign) is that there’s currently no established definition of a “child” that has been agreed upon worldwide. Establishing that aged is the priority and that’s why HRC published a 54-page report “How Come You Allow Little Girls to Get Married?”. In the report, they explain and document the lifelong damage to these girls who are forced to marry very, very young. Most organizations agree that 18 should become the legal age for marriage.
Al Nahar, Lebanon, reported that the death occurred in the tribal area of Hardh in northwestern Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia.