Forced marriage is a term used to describe traditional arranged marriages in which one or more of the parties (usually the woman) is married without his/her consent or against his/her will. The practice of forced marriage has been or is prevalent around the world in some or other form and has a significant presence in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. It has been known in Western cultures in the past. Forced marriage is regarded as a form of human rights abuse, since it violates the principle of the freedom and autonomy of individuals. Women of Asian origin are the most common victims, but men are also forced to marry in the name of family pride, wishes of the parents, or social obligation.

See also

• Shotgun wedding
• Trafficking in human beings
• Rape

External links

• BBC News story: Forced marriage 'could be banned'

Marriage | Human rights abuses

Zwangsheirat