Sadly the practice still goes on with the latest example of a girl aged 13 in Yemen who died of horrific internal genital injuries following her "marriage".
I accept there is an element of hypocrisy in the way child marriage is covered because frankly sexual activity among Non Muslims in the west at a young age (particularly in the UK) goes on.
However, the distinction is some Muslim countries disgracefully turn a blind eye to this practice while the West does not officially sanction sex with a minor because it is illegal.
Ehhm, several comments
ReplyDelete- What on EARTH is "the west"? Srsly.
- this obscure "west" doesn't sanction sex with a minor "because it's illegal". So, it's illegal, so if you have sex with a minor, you go to jail. Where is the lack of sanction? What kind of sanction did you mean?
In the UK courts it would be adjudged a statutory rape, regardless of any "consent" and regardless of the age of the male provided the male was over the age of criminal responsibilty.
ReplyDeleteConsumating a marriage to a girl so young is putting her life in danger. Even if menstruating, she is still physically not sufficiently well developed to undergo a pregnancy without health risks including a substantial risk of death in childbirth.
Whatever the local cultural or religious norms, it is time for that society to act in a more enlightened way and religious leaders should lead the way.