Child marriage and honour killing
Child marriage and honour killings are severe human rights violations in which girls and women are enslaved and punished because of their gender. This video from Youth Underground explains both and says: this has to stop.
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Child marriage
Child marriage is a formal or informal union before the age of 18. It violates children's human rights and is a form of gender-based violence that robs children of their childhood. It also disrupts their education and makes them more vulnerable to violence, discrimination and abuse.
Despite laws against it, the practice remains widespread. Worldwide, one in every five girls is married, or in a union, before the age of 18. In the least developed countries that number doubles: 40% of girls are married before 18, and 12% before 15.
Honour killing
An honour killing, or shame killing, is the murder of a family member because of a belief that a girl or woman has brought shame on the family, or has broken the principles of a community or religion with an honour culture.
The video lists typical reasons, including:
- divorcing or separating from a husband;
- refusing an arranged, child or forced marriage;
- a relationship, or links with social groups outside the family, that the family strongly disapproves of;
- sex before or outside marriage;
- being the victim of rape or sexual assault;
- wearing clothing, jewellery or accessories seen as inappropriate;
- LGBTQ+ relationships.
Honour killing is a particularly harmful and disturbing form of control over the behaviour of girls and women. According to the video, it has taken place for thousands of years and still happens around the world. This is particularly, but not only, in communities in or from South East Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. It also happens in Western countries, including the United Kingdom and the USA.