EBÎR MUHAMED

Qamishlo- Women’s organizations in North and East Syria hold awareness-raising seminars and workshops to end child marriage. In 2023, 62 children were tried to be forced into child marriage in North and East Syria, 56 out of them were prevented, according the Mala Jin (Women’s House) in Qamishlo.

The awareness-raising activities of women’s organizations and Family Law approved by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) play an important role in the reducing child marriage in 2023.

‘I could not enjoy my childhood’

43-year-old H.M. lives in Qamishlo, a city in the Jazira Canton of North and East Syria. Her father forced her into marriage when she was 12. “I could not enjoy my childhood. Now, I am an adult woman but I still do not have a happy life. I wanted to go to school but I was forced into marriage. Child marriage is a crime against children. I call on all parents to send their daughters to school, not to marry off them. They should support their daughters to achieve their goals.”

 Penalties

Behiye Murad, member of the Mala Jin, spoke about the Family Law approved by the AANES. “First article of law, the penalty for parents, who marry off their children before 18, is a prison sentence of one year to three years and a fine.”