In Morocco, statistics have shown that an overwhelming percentage of young girls who give birth in rural villages are married. Meanwhile, health professionals warn that pregnancies pose a serious threat to the health of young girls as their bodies have not developed sufficiently for motherhood.
According to Sakina, a Moroccan human rights activist, the phenomenon of child marriage persists in the Moroccan countryside. Some families continue to force their daughters to get married through the so-called practice of “fatiha.” The Moroccan state is trying to combat the issue of child marriage as the law technically prevents child marriage, although there are exceptions to the rule.
Child marriage or underage marriage is defined as a marriage involving minors under 18 years of age. Research has shown that the vast majority of those affected by this type of marriage are vulnerable girls living under poor economic and social conditions.
Morocco is no exception when it comes to the phenomenon of child marriage. In many vulnerable families across the region, it is still seen as a way out to marry off a young daughter to a rich man who is much older than her. It is seen as a recipe for improving the overall economic situation of the family but ignores the awful tragedy that the girl will face.
As for Algeria, article 7 of the country´s family law stipulates that a girl must be 18 years old to marry. However, minors are still married off by their families in rural areas in Algeria due to their parents’ fear of spinsterhood or their conservative social and religious beliefs. This is possible due to the fact that there is a loophole in the family law that allows for minors to get married in Algeria.
Yemen represents one of the Arab countries where child marriage is widespread. According to data from the United Nations and the Yemeni government, about 14 percent of Yemeni girls under the age of 15 are married.
Although the phenomenon of child marriage in Yemen has its roots in ancient beliefs and religious traditions, many reports indicate that the ongoing conflict in the country has exacerbated the situation and resulted in an increase in child marriages. Human rights activists and organizations working on children’s rights have sparked alarm and try to spread awareness on the issue of child marriage. However, their efforts have not borne fruit.
Syria, which, just like Yemen, suffers from the scourge of war, has witnessed a remarkable increase in child marriage in recent years. The increase is due to several reasons including social and economic issues. In some cases, the father in a family resorts to marrying his daughter off early with the explanation that it will protect her from kidnapping.
During the time of ISIS control over territories in Syria, child marriage was spreading rapidly as the terror group imposed ultra-conservative and draconian social customs and traditions in their areas of control. In Iraq, getting married at a very young age is reportedly a major reason for divorce today.
