Shahindokht Molaverdi, Deputy of Hassan Rouhani for Women and Family Affairs, says that recent statistics on the marriage of girls below the legal age are "worrisome." In an interview with ISNA, she stated, "In the past year or two, we have received concerning statistics regarding the marriage of girls before reaching the legal age, and we have even witnessed marriages of girls under 10 years old." A month ago, the United Nations urged Iran to reform laws related to marriage and the punishment of child and adolescent girls. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed "deep" concern about reports indicating an increase in the number of forced marriages of girls aged 10 or younger in Iran to significantly older men. Shahindokht Molaverdi mentioned that the government has requested the Ministry of Justice to provide a detailed report on this issue and added that it has been referred to the National Child Rights Authority for examination and follow-up. The social issue of child marriage has been a topic of discussion among civil activists, especially child rights activists in Iran for many years. Although the attention of the Deputy for Women and Family Affairs to this issue at this time is welcomed by activists in this field, it raises the question of why now? Hossein Ghazian, a sociologist residing in the United States, responded to Radio Farda, stating that the demands and social expectations in Iran have changed, with increased attention to children's issues, particularly young girls. This has led to social pressure and demand to prevent marriages of girls below the legal age. He mentioned that various factors have come together to better highlight this issue currently. Ghazian further stated that the law alone will not be effective without cultural change accompanying it. He emphasized that the real circumstances of the families of these girls, who are forced into marriage, should not be overlooked. Many of these families are in poor economic conditions, and the girl is considered a burden, needing to marry to reduce the family's financial burden. Ghazian concluded that alongside legal and cultural factors, improving economic conditions could also help reduce the phenomenon of child marriage.
Child Marriage in Iran and Legal Gaps
Shahindokht Molaverdi has raised concerns over the increasing rates of child marriage in Iran, particularly among girls under 10. The UN has urged Iran to reform its marriage laws, highlighting the need for social and economic changes to address this issue. This matter is significant as it reflects changing social attitudes and pressures regarding child rights in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Shahindokht Molaverdi expressed alarm over rising child marriage rates in Iran, particularly among girls under 10. The UN has called for legal reforms to address this issue, which has garnered increased attention from civil activists and the government.
- Recent statistics indicate an increase in marriages of girls below the legal age.
- The UN has urged Iran to reform its marriage laws and address the issue of forced marriages.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Child marriage remains a significant issue in many parts of the world, often linked to poverty and cultural traditions. In Iran, legal age for marriage is set at 13 for girls, but exceptions exist.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%