Yemeni child bride, eight, dies of internal injuries on first night of forced marriage to groom five times her age
Photo of the alleged bride
‘Rawan’ died in the tribal area of Hardh, which borders Saudi Arabia
Activists have called for groom and family to be arrested over her death
One activist: ‘Groom is an animal who deserved to be punished severely’
An eight-year-old child bride has died in Yemen of internal bleeding sustained during her wedding night after being forced to marry a man five times her age, activists have claimed. The girl, identified only as Rawan, died in the tribal area of Hardh in northwestern Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia. Activists are now calling for the groom, who is believed to be around 40 years old, and her family to be arrested so they can face justice in the courts.
The practice of marrying young girls is widespread in Yemen and has attracted the attention of international rights groups seeking to pressure the government to outlaw child marriages. Yemen’s gripping poverty plays a role in hindering efforts to stamp out the practice, as poor families find themselves unable to say no to ‘bride-prices’ that can be hundreds of dollars for their daughters.
More than a quarter of Yemen’s females marry before age 15, according to a report in 2010 by the Social Affairs Ministry. Tribal custom also plays a role, including the belief that a young bride can be shaped into an obedient wife, bear more children and be kept away from temptation.
In September 2010, a 12-year-old Yemeni child-bride died after struggling for three days in labour to give birth, a local human rights organisation said. Yemen once set 15 as the minimum age for marriage, but parliament annulled that law in the 1990s, saying parents should decide when a daughter marries.
As this news slowly went viral, apparently it may not be true after all? Spotted on Huffington Post:
Yemen Officials Deny 8-Year-Old Girl Died From Sex With 40-Year-Old Husband: Report
Yemeni officials and journalists are saying the reports that an 8-year-old girl allegedly died of vaginal tearing on her wedding night are false, according to a report in Dubai-based news site Gulf News.
“When I heard the rumors [of the girl’s death], I called the girl’s father,” the local director of Criminal Investigation, Mosleh Al Azzani, told Gulf News by telephone on Monday. “He came with his daughter and denied the marriage and death of his daughter. I have the photos of the girl and will show it to anyone.”
Gulf News also quotes a local journalist and a children’s rights activist in Yemen’s capital who say they’ve investigated the story and believe it’s false. “Some people create these stories to get publicity and attention and aid from international organizations,” said activist Ahmad Al Qurishi of the SEYAJ Organization for Childhood Protection, a nonprofit volunteer organization.
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2 Comments on “Eight year old Yemeni child dies at hands of 40 year old husband on wedding night”
So angry to read this news. Whether true or false, we should not condone these people’s actions. Children ought to be protected and they have the right to enjoy their childhood as it is, not going through this! Geez.
I agree with you! Children at the age of 8 should be out there enjoying their childhood, not thrust into marriage with an older man. Child marriages should NOT be condoned in the first place, but alas, it seems unlikely as it has been part of their culture for years ;/
So angry to read this news. Whether true or false, we should not condone these people’s actions. Children ought to be protected and they have the right to enjoy their childhood as it is, not going through this! Geez.
I agree with you! Children at the age of 8 should be out there enjoying their childhood, not thrust into marriage with an older man. Child marriages should NOT be condoned in the first place, but alas, it seems unlikely as it has been part of their culture for years ;/