Nepal tops ranking of forced marriages

In our continuous search for cases against human trafficking and social injustice in general, today we talk of a practice still existing in many, too many countries in the world: forced marriage.

In Nepal, this ominous activity takes forms which are almost farcical: the forced bride is often kidnapped and married to a man she does not know nor want, and even when she likes the guy and agrees to the wedding she must be kidnapped, because "when you steal a girl, it is more reputed".

This kidnapping tradition and the whole idea of forced marriage is illegal in Nepal, but it is very difficult to enforce the law against the strength of local culture, particularly in a context of illiteracy and underdevelopment.

The general idea, endorsed by observers, human rights activists and NGOs, is that more legislation and widespread education are needed to improve this basic right for women to choose their own husband.

You can read the full article here.