Forced Marriage

Forced marriage represents a profound violation of fundamental human rights and a significant barrier to gender justice, as it strips individuals, predominantly women and young girls of their personal agency and the right to provide full and free consent. Rooted in entrenched patriarchal structures, economic pressures, and the misinterpretation of cultural or religious traditions, this practice often leads to a lifetime of physical and psychological trauma, domestic instability, and the denial of educational and economic opportunities. At WEG, we address this systemic issue through a dual strategy of high-level legislative advocacy to strengthen protective laws and grassroots community engagement to shift the social norms that perpetuate coercion. By empowering victims with legal awareness and mobilizing male allies and community leaders to champion the right to choice, we strive to foster a society where every marriage is based on mutual respect and informed, voluntary agreement.