Sisters in Islam Campaign to End Child Marriage

by Roxann MtJoy · 2010-12-18 08:00:00 UTC
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Did you know that in Malaysia over 16,ooo children are married before they turn 15? Activist group Sisters in Islam did, and they want to put a stop to it. As Amanda Kloer over at the Human Trafficking section of Change.org reports, the group is working hard to have the legal marriage age there raised to 18.

This issue recently gained attention when a Malaysian newspaper ran an article about a mass wedding in early December. The accompanying photo was of a 14 year-old girl who was set to marry a man more than twice her age. Think about that for a minute. While you and I and any reasonable, moral person would consider that horrifying and abusive, the Malaysian government sees no problem at all. It's all peachy for them, just as long as "the wedding is bound by love between couples."

This is where Sisters in Islam comes in. They issued a statement condemning the child marriage practice in Malaysia. They point out that such marriage harms children, particularly girls. Specifically, it limits access to education, results in loss of adolescence, and restricts freedom and personal development. Further, young girls are put in a dangerous situation with their physical health because of the high risk of early pregnancy and abuse.

Sisters in Islam also make the important point that a child is not emotionally mature enough to make the decision to marry. "There is no sound reason why her family and her intended groom cannot wait until she reaches the age of majority before asking for her consent to marry," their statement reads. Agreed.

It is time to take a stand against child marriage. The International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act is currently under Congressional review. The bill would "promote the educational, health, economic, social, and legal empowerment of girls and women" in the developing world and establish national policies when it comes to reporting and working on child marriage. Tell Congress to sign this vital piece of legislation so that children can be children and marriage can be saved for adulthood.

Photo credit: jkeenan501

Roxann MtJoy is a freelance writer who previously worked as a case manager at a domestic violence shelter. She is currently attending graduate school for theater in Mount Vernon, N.Y.

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