Child Marriage in the Muslim World: Difference between revisions

In many Islamic countries, child marriages are common practice. Girls far below the age of puberty are often forcibly [[Marriage|married]] to older persons (sometimes in their 50s and later), often for various personal gains by the girls' guardian or with the intention to preserve family [[Honor Violence|honor]] by helping her avoid pre-marital [[sex]]. Islamic child marriages are most prevalent in Pakistan and Afghanistan, followed by other countries in the Middle East and Bangladesh.<ref>[http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=1631 America Magazine: Child Marriage in Afghanistan and Pakistan, by Andrew Bushell; March 11, 2002]</ref><ref>[http://www.americansforunfpa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=630 Americans For UNFPA: Virtual Slavery: The Practice of “Compensation Marriages” by Net Community of AfUNFPA; last retrieved Monday, 08 December 2008]</ref> This practice may also be prevalent to a lesser extent amongst other Islamic communities, and is on the rise among the growing Muslim populations in many non-Muslim countries, such as the United Kingdom.<ref name="Ten-fold rise in forced marriages in just four years" />