A little girl of 12-years-old, wearing make-up, poses for
photographs as she appears to marry a middle-aged man a shocking wedding video
which is presently going viral.
photographs as she appears to marry a middle-aged man a shocking wedding video
which is presently going viral.
This horrifying footage also seems to show her suit-clad
husband, who is at least four decades older than her, clinging on to her.
husband, who is at least four decades older than her, clinging on to her.
Shot in Lebanon, the video has sparked an international
outcry. But, thankfully, the child bride and her groom were actors.
outcry. But, thankfully, the child bride and her groom were actors.
Amassing more than 1.7 million views since it was released,
the clip offers up a window into another world where thousands of young girls
in Lebanon, Syria and around the world who are forced into marriage.
the clip offers up a window into another world where thousands of young girls
in Lebanon, Syria and around the world who are forced into marriage.
A passer-by questioning what was going on
Nearly 15 million girls who are as young as eight are forced
to marry older men sometimes in their sixties and senventies. According to the
United Nations Population Fund more than 1.2 billion girls will be forced into
child marriage by 2050.
to marry older men sometimes in their sixties and senventies. According to the
United Nations Population Fund more than 1.2 billion girls will be forced into
child marriage by 2050.
Now the Government in Lebanon has introduced legislation it
hopes will pass that will require all marriages to have a civil registration in
an attempt to outlaw it.
hopes will pass that will require all marriages to have a civil registration in
an attempt to outlaw it.
Currently parents can give permission for their children to
marry at the age of nine while a girl can give consent herself at the age of
14.
marry at the age of nine while a girl can give consent herself at the age of
14.
Campaigner Maya Ammar said: “The scene was supposed
to seem shocking because the practice itself is shocking.”
to seem shocking because the practice itself is shocking.”
It is thought one in three girls from low to middle income
families are married before they turn 18. And one third of those girls are less
than 15-years-old.
families are married before they turn 18. And one third of those girls are less
than 15-years-old.
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