Committee: UNIFEM
Topic A: Marriage: Arranged marriage, child marriage, polygamy
Director: Nuria Álvarez Del Bosque
Moderator: Maryafernanda Coutiño Gonzalez
Facts to Know:
Arranged marriage or also called "prearrangements" is a marriage arranged by someone other than the couple getting united, avoiding the process of courtship and prohibiting the couple to have a voice in a final decision and it can be seen also as a forced marriage which in many countries is outlawed. Women, especially, can be victims of forced marriages which causes them to enter a state of virtual slavery.
Such marriages have really deep roots in royal families around the world, including Europe because it was practiced heavily.
Arranged marriages are commonplace in many countries such as:
~Iran
~Iraq
~Afghanistan
~Japan
~India
~China
Arranged marriages are usually seen also in African cultures, and there are mostly decided by the parents or by older family members.
In many communities, priests or religious leaders as well as relatives or family friends play a major role in matchmaking.
As well as adult marriage is arranged, children around the world are getting united at a premature age...
Child Marriage
Child marriage may refer to two social problems which are practiced in some societies.
~ The first and more widespread practice is that of marrying a young child (generally below the age of fifteen) to an adult. It is almost always a young girl married to a man.
~ The second practice is a form of arrangement in which the parents of two children from different families arrange a future marriage.
Child marriage has been prevalent in many cultures throughout human history, such as:
~ Africa
~ Pakistan
~ Bangladesh
~ South Asia
~ India
~ Middle East
~ Saudi Arabia
~ North America
Also Child marriages may have many purposes, but these 3 are the most important:
~ As a method to secure political ties.
For example, the son or daughter of the royal family of a weaker power would sometimes be arranged to marry into the royal family of a stronger power.
~ To gain financial ties with wealthier people, ensuring their successions.
~ Social standing, wealth and expected education.
When prearrangements are made, in some cultures marrying more than one spouse, is a great honor. This is called Polygamy.
Polygamy
The term polygamy means "the practice of multiple marriages" that’s when you unify to more than one spouse simultaneously.
Like always, this can be divided in two branches: Polyandry and Polygamy. The first one is a woman having more than one husband and Polygamy is a man having more than one wife.
All countries have an opinion in it such as:
~ Sudan
~ South Africa
~ South Asia
~ India
~ Mongolia
~Thailand
~China
~Hong Kong
History of the Topic
WHERE? Arranged Marriages including Child Marriage and Polygamy were first accepted in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan, India and Bangladesh. (Muslim Islam countries)
which were considered as a successful traditions in their cultures but these are really restrictive and encroach on the personal freedoms of women, that’s why statistics say that 60% to 80% marriages are forced kind.
WHEN? It started since the aristocrat era, where powerful families made prearrangements to maximize their enrichment, in gold, territories or even slaves. Children were forced to marry without their concern or men were encouraged to marry more than one wife.
WHY? Because families want to secure political, or business ties with other powerful families. Also the reputation influences in the marriage. And finally Religion and spiritual beliefs can play a large role in finding a suitable union.
HOW? In many cultures child marriage, adult arrangements and any form of polygamy is accepted. It is seen that their daughters and sons have to honor the family by passing through the marital rites. It is a tradition handed down through generations. Children mostly feel the pressure of the family, society and their culture. Parents feel the need to control the union for their own benefit, and think that if they don’t marry at a certain age they are not likely to find any partner, so intergenerational relation is more valued than the marriage itself.
WHAT HAS THE UNITED NATIONS DONE?
The UN has made press releases, focusing on UNICEF, in which this organization makes policies establishing that forced and early marriages are recognized as human rights violations, also considering that numerous international and regional legal instruments condemn the practices of forced and early marriage. Many of these documents mandate consent of nations, recommend a minimum marriage age, and require that the marriage are registered to better review the occurrences of forced and early marriages and to ensure that both partners receive equal rights and protections. Although most countries have signed onto these documents, many countries lack adequate implementation of the treaties, which causes that arranged marriages are considered as worldwide problems.
Both the Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and of Marriages (The Convention on Consent to Marriage) as well as The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women contain all three principles articulated above. They require the consent of nations.
Also, the United Nation’s advice to these organizations (Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages) was the accession or permission of both nations as well as registration of the marriages. This advice also specifies that Member States have to establish a minimum age to marry, and still recommends to set 15 as the minimum age.
Points of View
Iran
In traditional Iranian families, arranged marriage proceedings begin with a formal marriage proposal, by a delegation (usually of parents and elders) from the man's side. During the initial meeting, various aspects of the marital "contract" are discussed.
In modern families, particularly among the upper and middle-class urban families, the couple arranged to marry usually takes the initial steps based on mutual choice and leaves the formalities to their parents. Arranged marriages in the form known in other Asian countries such as India or Pakistan (marriage decisions made by parents at an early age of their children) are rare, except among very traditional families.
Iraq
When members of USA Congress recently asked a delegation of Iraqi women what they thought of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the answer came right back, “What took you so long?” For the women of Iraq, the American and allied intervention holds the promise of better lives, more freedom, contact with the world, political participation. After life under political pressure with its oppressive structures, secret intelligence agencies, control by torture for anyone who dissented, the immediate elation was palpable. Child marriage and polygamy are really common in this country, women are afraid to raise their voice, and have a say in their unions, because they feel that they have to "honor" their families.
Afghanistan
After an interview with Afghanistan's UN special reporter, the world knew that arranged marriages were the prime source of violence against women in Afghanistan. It was mentioned that “Little girls as young as 6 years old can be married off in return for bride money." Causing social destruction. Afghanistan knows that this is a very exploitative, vulnerable situation, and that women and children have suffered the most.
Japan
One would hardly think that Japan, being the contemporary society that it is, still practices arranged marriages – at least in some parts of the countryside. But then again, in certain Asian countries the practice is rather widespread, so it is only natural that Japan would have its own version. In Japan 30% of marriages are arranged, because parents engage services of people to unify families.
Japan shares the belief of other countries and cultures that arranged marriages tend to be more successful because they put more emphasis on the man being a breadwinner for the family and the woman being a symbol of cultural refinement. When much older men and women get married, chances are that their marriages are arranged.
India
Prearrangements are really common in Indian societies since centuries ago. Nowadays a lot of Indians (children and adults) still have planned weddings made by members of their families, and children have to respect their decision no matter what. Indian traditions say matches have to be made, knowing the couple´s age, height, individual values and likes and dislikes, as well as the history of their families (economic level, social standing), their castes and the astrological similarities of the couples' horoscopes.
The institution of marriage in India is considered a very important one. In India, marriages are thought to last for their whole lives, and as a consequence the divorce rate is really low. In India, 1.1% of marriages end in divorce compared to 45.8% for USA.
A marriage is a very big research of the family of the girl and the boy's family. They check for similarities between them not taking into account emotions neither their feelings.
Polygamy is allowed in Islam, still practiced in the 21st century. Muslims seek to preserve that practice. Polygamy can only be used by men; so many men tend to become Muslims to practice polygamy legally. India considers it good, due to the overwhelming female population that is bigger than the male population.
China
Child Marriage in China is very important to perpetuate and ensure survival for the family. This is arranged by family members, rather than the couple getting married. Right now it is not widely accepted but it is still practiced. Arranged marriages have 5 important steps:
1) Information gathering
2) Negotiation
3) Engagement
4) Wedding Dowry
5) Wedding
South Africa
The role of tribes and families is important in African traditions of marriage. Most of the marriages are arranged by the families of the marrying partners. The women are considered valuable, so marriage is really practiced, it is considered honorable to have arranged marriages of their children. The marriage bond is so strong in African traditions that the tradition has cemented the communities to have good partners for their children. UNICEF estimates 42 percent of women ages 15 to 24 were married before the age of 18, in Africa.
Pakistan
Child marriage is seen as the most standard and stable living form for the family. A marriage is seen not only as a link between man and a women but it is also considered a union between their parents' families. Most marriages are therefore arranged, they have been an integral part in Pakistani society for centuries and it is quite normal for people to have their marriages planned by their parents and other respected family-members.
Arranged matches are made after taking into account factors such as the backgrounds of their families (wealth, social standing, and caste). Often a marriage is made within the extended family, such as between cousins.
Also Polygamy is permitted under Pakistani civil law as well as under family act; however, it is now the exception rather than the norm and is very uncommon in the major cities. A husband is more likely to get himself a second wife, or recommended by family members to have a second marriage, if he remains childless with the first wife.
Bangladesh
UNICEF estimates 27.3 percent of women ages 15 to 19 were married by the age of 15. Reasons cited for early marriage in Bangladesh include protecting a daughter's chastity and the family honor.
Early marriage in Bangladesh is reportedly most common in poverty-stricken areas in the northern part of the country, where children are forced to marry without their will. Causing that one major consequence of early marriage is health problems associated with early pregnancy. A United Nations (UN) report on violence against children in South Asia indicates that child spouses may also experience sexual, psychological or physical effects as a result of early marriage, including death linked to domestic violence.
Saudi Arabia
Because marriages are generally arranged between families in Saudi Arabia one may or may not know the prospective bride or groom that well. Due to the segregation it is unlike that the opposite sexes would be closely acquainted with one another. Which makes marriages one major problem in society, Polygamy remains against the law and against the culture of America and much of the West as well? Yet, in Saudi Arabia and in Islam, it is an accepted practice.
Sudan
Legal and oftentimes frequently encouraged, polygamy is a visible and very much alive practice in Sudan. Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir has also strongly advocated polygamous marriages, with the hopes of boosting the Sudanese population. As well as polygamy is practiced, Child marriage is seen as relieving financial burden off the family, causing arrangements to be one major Sudanese tradition.
Mongolia
In form the traditional Mongolian wedding is an agreement between two families, with elaborate transfers of bride wealth in livestock from the groom's family and a dowry of jewelry, clothing, and domestic furnishings from the bride's. The wedding, which was a contractual agreement between families rather than a religious ceremony, is a great ritual. Divorce is possible but very rare.
Mongolia had not recognized officially polygamy but in 2005 Mongolia's government discussed the legalization of polynomial union. Mongolia recognized polygamy and realized that this legislation would help reduce the imbalance of the male and female population.
Thailand
Arranged marriages are relatively common in several parts of Asia including Thailand. Generally these traditional arranged marriages are carried out based on the decision of the parents, who choose the spouses for their children. All the ceremonial Buddhist rituals during marriage are centered on the couple’s family. Also on October 1, 1935 polygamy could be freely practiced and recognized under civil law in Thailand, by law it was established that wives would be divided in 3 categories:
1) the "official" wife
2) the minor wife
3) slave wife.
Then it was abolished, but still widely accepted. Law still establishes it is illegal.
QUESTIONS FOR THE DELEGATE:
1) Is your country against polygamy and arranged marriages between children and adults?
2) Is country aware that arranged forced marriages are a violation of human rights?
3) Does your country considers prearrangements a major problem in society?
4) Does your country practices polygamy legally? When was it established in your country?
5) Is your country willing to apply sanctions to the nations practicing prearrangements or polygamy?
6) If so, what kind of sanctions?
7) Besides sanctions, what is your country planning to do about other nations violating women's, children's rights by practicing polygamy and arranged marriages?
8) What does your nation think about religion being involved in this social problem?
Bibliography
http://www.professorshouse.com/family/relationships/arranged-marriage-facts.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arranged_marriage
http://www.islamawareness.net/Polygamy/why.html
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/1763
http://www.muslim-marriage-guide.com/african-traditions.html
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-arranged-marriages.htm
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/egm/vaw_legislation_2009/Expert%20Paper%20EGMGPLHP%20_Cheryl%20Thomas%20revised_.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygamy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_marriage
http://www.icrw.org/childmarriage/
