Yemeni families turn to child marriage as living costs become unbearable
In Yemen, where armed conflict never seems to end, thousands of girls are forced into marriage as children. It denies them an education and steals their dreams. This report shows how poverty is driving families to marry off their daughters.
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Two marriages stopped
A 12-year-old girl and a 23-year-old young woman were about to be married. Their parents, who live in deep poverty, made the decision for them. They wanted to be relieved of the cost of caring for their daughters and to receive the money paid by the grooms.
The Peace and Social Security Organization stepped in and stopped the marriages.
Poverty as the main cause
The organisation works to raise awareness of the harm caused by underage marriage. According to the organisation, families' urgent need for food and medicine was the main reason they forced their daughters into early marriage.