Yemeni Families Resort to Child Marriage amid Unbearable Living Expenses

In the war-ravaged region, where armed conflicts never seem to cease, thousands of female children in Yemen are forced into underage marriages, which denies them education and steals away their dreams.

Rozana Abdel Salam Mahiob, a 12-year-old girl, and Angham Mohammad Ahmad, a 23-year-old girl were about to get married as their parents, who live in abject poverty, took the decision on behalf of them to be relieved of the cost of their care and to take the money paid by their grooms.

However, the Peace and Social Security Organization intervened and stopped the marriage. In this respect, the organization seeks to raise awareness about the harm caused by underage marriage.

Families’ dire need for food and medications was the main reason behind forcing their daughters into early marriage, according to the organization.