Forced Child Marriages
Alemne, 18 years old, kiss the orthodox cross as a sign of respect. The religious representative validates the marriage with a small function in the compound, used for marriage. Parents, relatives and friends of two young girls, who are being married, attend the celebration of the early marriage. In Ethiopia 60 percent of girls younger than 18 are married. In the Amhara region, half of girls younger than 15 are married. North West of Ethiopia, on saturday, Febrary 14 2009.....In a tangled mingling of tradition and culture, in the normal place of living, in a laid-back attitude. The background of Ethiopia's "child brides", a country which has the distinction of having highest percentage in the practice of early marriages despite having a law that establishes 18 years as minimum age to get married. Celebrations that last days, their minds clouded by girls cups of tella and the unknown for the future. White bridal veil frame their faces expressive of small defenseless creatures, who at the age ranging from three to twelve years shall be given to young brides men adults already...To protect the identities of the recorded subjects names and specific places are fictional.
Add to Lightbox Download