Expert says girls are forced into early marriages in rather well-off families in Azerbaijan
“The gravest consequences of early marriages in Azerbaijan are often maternal and infant mortality, family conflicts, and cases of girls avoiding studies. Early marriages are caused by the erroneous stereotypes, psychological moments, abductions, mentality and other factors. Sometimes they say that the girls are early given in marriage because of the parents’ financial difficulties. Still, this is a wrong approach. Girls are forced into early marriages in rather well-off families, as well,” the chief consultant of the information and analytical researches department of the State Committee on family problems, Aynur Veysalova, told the Azerbaijani outlet Report.az.
She highlights that parents are responsible for their children, their proper education and studies.
“The way of thinking of the people should be changed. Educational activities should also be carried out and materials should be published. We do not say that everyone has got to get higher education. Naturally, it is impossible. Not everyone has the abilities to study. However, everyone must have a profession in order to be able to find a solution in emergency moments,” Veysalova says.
Amendments and additions have been made in the Article 176 of the Criminal Code, she added.
“According to the amendments in the article, forcing into marriage is also punishable. Under that article, those who force women and underage girls into marriage are subject to penalty of 2,000 manats and up to 2 years’ imprisonment. A still more severe punishment – penalty of up to 4,000 manats and up to 4 years’ imprisonment – is stipulated for those forcing underage girls into marriage,” the expert said.
Related:
Early marriage is still urgent problem in Azerbaijan
This year the number of girl-victims of early marriage has significantly increased in Azerbaijan
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