Sold to Be Wife: A Shocking Reality Unveiled

Have you ever imagined being sold as a wife? A terrifying reality that still exists in many parts of the world. This article will shed light on the practices of selling brides and the harrowing experiences these women endure.

The concept of being sold to be a wife may seem like a plot straight out of a dramatic movie, but sadly, it is a daily occurrence for thousands of young girls and women around the globe. This practice, deeply rooted in patriarchal societies, perpetuates gender inequality and strips away basic human rights.

Understanding the Cultural Context

In many traditional societies, marriage is often seen as an economic transaction rather than a union based on love. The notion of marrying for social status, financial gain, or to maintain familial honor outweighs the importance of personal choice or consent. This sets the stage for the sale of young girls, sometimes as young as ten years old, to the highest bidder.

Sold To Be A Wife: Only a determined foster carer can stop a terrified girl from becoming a child bride (A Maggie Hartley Foster Carer Story)

by Maggie Hartley(Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4943 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	192 pages

FREE

The reasons behind this horrifying practice are varied. Poverty, tradition, and societal pressure are some of the contributing factors. Families living in poverty often view selling their daughters as an economic necessity, ensuring their survival or easing their financial burdens. These vulnerable girls become commodities, exchanged for money or goods, without any regard for their wellbeing or future happiness.

The Brutal Consequences of being Sold as a Wife

When a girl is sold to be a wife, her life takes an unimaginable turn. Instead of focusing on education, personal growth, and self-determination, she is thrust into a world of servitude. Education is often denied, leaving her illiterate and dependent on her husband.

In many cases, child marriage accompanies this practice. Girls, who are still children themselves, are forced into adult responsibilities. The physical and emotional toll on these young individuals is devastating, as they are not yet physically mature or emotionally equipped to handle the challenges that come with marriage.

Health risks are also a grave concern. Childbirth at a young age poses significant dangers, as their bodies are not fully developed to endure pregnancy and childbirth. Maternal mortality rates are alarming in these communities, where access to proper healthcare is often limited or nonexistent.

Human Rights Violations

The sale of women as wives is a blatant violation of basic human rights. These girls and women are robbed of their freedom, dignity, and autonomy. They become property, bargaining chips, without any say in their own lives.

The international community recognizes the severity of this issue. Numerous international agreements and conventions have been formed to combat this violation, such as the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, implementation and enforcement of these measures remain a challenge in many societies.

Efforts to Eradicate the Practice

Multifaceted approaches are required to tackle the issue of selling women as wives effectively. Awareness campaigns, education initiatives, and legal reforms are some of the crucial steps that need to be taken.

Local and grassroots organizations play a crucial role in offering support to the victims and advocating for change. They provide safe spaces for these women to seek refuge and empower them to break free from the cycle of abuse.

International organizations, such as the United Nations and non-governmental organizations, are also actively working towards eradicating this practice. Through awareness campaigns, lobbying, and providing assistance on the ground, these entities aim to create a world where no woman is sold as a wife.

A Call to Action

The harrowing reality of being sold to be a wife cannot be ignored. It is incumbent upon us as a global society to take action and advocate for the rights and freedom of these women.

By raising awareness, supporting organizations combating this practice, and demanding policy changes, we can contribute to creating a future where no woman is subjected to such horrors.

Together, let's strive for a world filled with equality, respect, and empowerment, where every individual has the right to choose their own destiny, free from the chains of oppression.

Sold To Be A Wife: Only a determined foster carer can stop a terrified girl from becoming a child bride (A Maggie Hartley Foster Carer Story)

by Maggie Hartley(Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4943 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	192 pages

FREE

The powerfully moving new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author, Maggie Hartley.

Fourteen-year-old Shazia has been taken into care after a conversation at school leads her teacher to suspect that the teenager's family are planning to send her to Pakistan for an arranged marriage.

To her family's fury, Shazia is sent to live with foster carer Maggie Hartley whilst social services investigate. But with Shazia denying everything and social services unable to find any evidence to support the teacher's fears, Shazia is allowed to return home.

But a few weeks later, Maggie is woken up in the middle of the night by a phone call from a terrified Shazia, who has managed to escape the family home through a window. Sobbing, she confesses to Maggie that her parents are planning to send her to Pakistan to be married in a few days, and have threatened to kill her if she speaks out again.

Returned to Maggie's care, Shazia is petrified that her parents will track her down and kill her, and Maggie must be on constant alert. But the worst is yet to come when it emerges that Shazia is the victim of FGM. Can Maggie help this damaged and traumatised young girl understand what has happened to her and to find a way to heal?

In this new book, Maggie Hartley taps into the highly topical issues of FGM and arranged marriage, and presents a sensitive and unique insight into the effect these practices have on their young victims.