The age we live is the age of modernization. Fundamental human rights are the core values of present time. Forced marriages cannot be justified on any religious or cultural basis. Under human rights declaration forced marriages are amount to a form of domestic violence. In Pakistani society forced marriages are camouflaged in arranged marriage. Bride and groom are willing to marry but on the terms of compromise and sacrifice. Parents, society, cultural norms are the leading causes behind such marriages. Shaadee.pk has taken the very issue into consideration. Shadi in Pakistan is less a couple’s choice but more a burden. Its basis is financial security and parents’ will. Romance is not mention-able. Dear Family! Do not force your daughters to get them wed with whom they don’t like. Forced marriage is explained as ‘’ Forced marriage is a marriage in which one or more of the parties is married without their consent or against their will. A marriage can also become a forced marriage even if both parties enter with full consent if one or both are later forced to stay in the marriage against their will’’. In the perception of some, forced marriage is a form of slavery. In Pakistan we have rigid culture and norms especially in our rural areas that seldom allow for the change. Forced marriage will be eroded with change in these norms. And for the change we need awareness campaigns and education in our rural areas.
Do not tie her with the one just because he is your blood relative
Here in Pakistan, parents force their daughters to please their relatives as they have promised to give their daughters hand into their nephews, niece and cousins. This led to the girls to have a compromise. After having a one or two child, girls forget how and why they wed to the med they never wanted to. The inner self happiness fades away and leaves behind. In some worst case scenario
Her silence does not mean YES, it could be named as suppression
In eastern cultures, women’s silence is taken as yes to the proposals her parents offer whereas her silence is not what it should be taken. There could be hosts of the reason such as her thinking to sacrifice for the parents respect and name in the society. The sacredness attached to women, women being the guard keeper of the family reverence and honor etc. Marriage is the negotiable and debatable phenomenon. Parents must seek her daughters’ will by discussing pros and cons of the particular proposals.
The consequences of such marriages are worse and latent in its nature. They don’t appear in overtly or disturb any other but the girl herself who consented to the will or suppression by her parents particularly her father’s. The Feeling arouse that they have no longer control over their own lives, many women end up depressed, self-harming or, in the worst cases, even attempting suicide. Living a life you don’t want can often seem worse than not living at all. Let’s join hands together in wake of spreading awareness and knowledge about the very sensitive issue.