Introduction
Early marriage in Egypt was an accepted cultural practice from the mid-8th century. Early marriage is a legal union between two persons, usually teenagers, usually before they reach the majority age. In the past, early marriage was quite common in Egypt, and the practice continues in some parts of the country.
Causes of Early Marriages
The reason for this practice is the ancient culture of Egypt. In ancient times, girls preferred to be tied to older men to protect their honor and maintain family values. Another reason for the practice was to protect girls from potential crimes such as rape (Krafft, 2020). Some women in the past recognized that it was easier for them to maintain the integrity of their families and prevent unwanted pregnancies through early marriage.
Dangers of the Practice
However, such practices are not safe for children. For girls, early marriage poses physical and psychological risks. They may experience a loss of interest in education, psychological trauma, mental illness, and even premature birth or death (Mendoza et al., 2019). Groomboys can also be traumatized because they are unprepared and do not understand the details of marriage.
Governmental Interventions
Although early marriage in Egypt was a common cultural practice, the government was taking progressive steps to prevent it. In 2008, his government adopted a law to safeguard children from all forms of violence, including early marriage (Van Raemdonck, 2019). This legislation provides for sanctions and penalties for violations of the article. The government was required by law to conduct campaigns and educational programs to warn of the negative consequences of early marriage (Yaya et al., 2021). Various social organizations also work to educate the population and support early marriage victims.
Conclusion
Early marriage has long been a culturally accepted tradition in Egypt. However, the government was taking gradual steps to combat the process. Further development and education in society are needed to prevent early marriage and its consequences.
References
Krafft, C. (2020). Why is fertility on the rise in Egypt? The role of women’s employment opportunities. Journal of Population Economics, 33(4), 1173–1218. Web.
Mendoza, J. E. V., Tolba, M., & Saleh, Y. (2019). Strengthening marriages in Egypt: Impact of divorce on women. Behavioral Sciences, 10(1), 14. Web.
Van Raemdonck, A. (2019). Paradoxes of awareness raising in development: Gender and sexual morality in anti-FGC campaigning in Egypt. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 21(10), 1177–1191. Web.
Yaya, S., Hudani, A., Buh, A., & Bishwajit, G. (2021). Prevalence and predictors of intimate partner violence among married women in Egypt. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(21–22), 10686–10704. Web.