Why do families continue to force young girls to marry strangers who are 20 or even 40 years older? Why is education not the main target for disadvantaged families?
Forced marriages are still widespread in the backward societies of Asia, in the Middle East. For many individuals who are unable to provide quality education to all their children, forced marriage is considered the norm. The patriarchal society system in some countries has a strong influence on a person's worldview and even forms a mentality.
The dominant position in these societies is occupied by men, they perform the functions of the head of the family, they are considered wiser, and physically stronger, and thus they are more privileged compared to women.
According to this kind of mentality only a son can be educated and later he can provide a sufficient level of support for the parents and afterward create his own family. In such a community male offspring receives a lot of attention, his life matters, unlike the life of a daughter. Additionally, sons can find a job, leave the house without a permit, and are respected by other people. The functions of women in this type of society are giving birth to the children, taking care of them, and being involved in hard unpaid domestic work.
Unfortunately, little girls cannot even hope for support from their families. There is practically no such question as access to education for females and the choice of a life path. They are often illiterate or have only elementary writing and reading capabilities. All important life decisions are taken by fathers or other male relatives who simply sell their daughters into the hands of old and rich men. Many of the fathers who sold their daughters believe that this is better than nothing, because, according to them, women are incapable of what men can do. In such societies, discrimination based on sex, and violation of human rights are the norm.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), unless drastic measures are taken, 70 million girls, neither physically nor emotionally ready for marriage, will get married in the next five years. These dramatic statistics remind us that all forms of modern slavery must come to an end. International society tries to raise awareness about this crucial problem. On the 23 rd of August United Nations established International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. Along with that Sustainable Development Goals Targets 5.3 (the elimination of the child, early, and forced marriages), 8.7 (the end of modern slavery), and 16.2 (the end of abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children) are highlighting the key points in the existing problem.
Due to collaboration, quality information distribution, work with vulnerable groups, and remembrance some measures can be taken, and humanity can end it.