Child Marriage: 299 Marriages Registered Between Ages 10-19 in Shabestar Since the Beginning of the Year

The head of Shabestar Welfare Department announced the occurrence of 58 cases of child marriage between ages 10-14 and 241 cases of marriage between ages 14-19 during the first ten months of the current year in Shabestar County. Physical and psychological injuries resulting from marriage during childhood inflict irreparable blows to the lives of these children. Pregnancies under age 18, maternal mortality, depression, suicide attempts, divorce, dropping out of school, and the persistence of cycles of cultural and economic poverty are among these harms.

According to HRANA news agency, citing Mehr, the head of Shabestar Welfare Department presented statistics regarding child marriage in the city.

Ahed Narimanani referred to the phenomenon of child marriage in the region and said: The statistics of marriages in the first 10 months of the current year were 698 cases, which unfortunately included 58 cases of marriage between ages 10-14 years old and 241 cases of marriage between ages 15-19 years old, with the highest rate of child marriage occurring in Soufian district.

He also stated that the suicide situation in Shabestar County is concerning, adding: In the phenomenon of suicide, we must look for the causes. Unfortunately, in recent years, due to multiple reasons including increased economic problems and increased anxiety among members of society, we have witnessed an alarming spread of this phenomenon.

He added: Based on available statistics, in the first 10 months of the current year, 150 people attempted suicide, of which 7 people in Shabestar County have ended their lives in various ways.

The head of the Welfare Department, who was speaking in the specialized committee on social and cultural affairs, women’s health and family of Shabestar County, added: The cities of Shabestar, Sis, Shandabad and the villages of Dizaj Khalil and Sarkandizaj are among the high-risk areas for suicidal ideation.

Physical and psychological injuries resulting from marriage during childhood inflict irreparable blows to the lives of these children. Pregnancies under age 18, maternal mortality, depression, suicide attempts, divorce, dropping out of school, and the persistence of cycles of cultural and economic poverty are among these harms.

Source: HRANA