The Statistical Center of Iran reported that from the winter of 2021 to the end of autumn 2022, at least 27,448 cases of marriage involving girls under 15 years old were recorded across various regions of Iran. According to this center, the trend of child marriage had been declining since 2017 but has returned to an upward trajectory since 2019. The report indicates that the number of marriages involving girls under 15 years in autumn 2022 increased by 933 cases compared to the summer of the same year. Additionally, for the age group of 15 to 19 years, the number of marriages was 5,500 cases higher than in summer 2022. As reported by the Etemad website, a significant point is that most 'child brides' become mothers at a young age. According to the latest announcement from the Civil Registration Organization, in 2021, at least 69,103 infants were born to mothers aged 10 to 19, and 1,474 infants were born to mothers aged 10 to 14. Zahra Shadi Talab, a sociologist and former head of the Women's Studies Group at Tehran University, criticized the lack of accountability from officials in this regard, stating that the Women's Affairs Department must either be held accountable or compelled to respond, as child marriage has numerous negative consequences for society as a whole. Ansiyeh Khazali, the Deputy for Women's and Family Affairs of the Presidency, stated in a press conference in summer 2021 regarding child marriage that 'we do not agree with any form of oppression against women, including marriage before maturity, which exacerbates this oppression.' A year later, in another press conference, she said: 'If I were to condemn marriage under 18, I would have to condemn myself, as I married under 18, but I do not believe that I was not mature or did not have the ability to manage my life at that time.' Academic research shows that early marriage is a significant factor in domestic violence and school dropout among girls and is considered a form of child sexual abuse in the context of marital relations.
Increase in Child Marriage in Iran; Over 27,000 Cases of Child Marriage Registered in One Year
The Iranian Statistical Center reported over 27,000 cases of child marriage involving girls under 15 in the past year, reversing a previous decline. This issue raises concerns about the societal implications of child marriage, including early motherhood and domestic violence. Activists are calling for accountability from government officials regarding this growing trend.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Iranian Statistical Center reported over 27,000 cases of child marriage involving girls under 15 in the past year, marking a concerning reversal of a previous decline. This trend raises alarms about the implications of early motherhood and domestic violence in Iranian society.
- 27,448 cases of marriage involving girls under 15 were recorded from winter 2021 to autumn 2022.
- 69,103 infants were born to mothers aged 10 to 19 in 2021, highlighting the consequences of child marriage.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Child marriage is a significant issue in many cultures, often linked to poverty and gender inequality. In Iran, it poses risks for young girls, including health complications and limited educational opportunities.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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