The Shocking Reality of Child Marriage in UK History

Child marriage is a disturbing part of UK history that has often been overlooked. For centuries, young girls were forced into marriage without their consent, sometimes as young as 12 years old. This practice was often used by families to secure alliances, increase wealth, or simply to offload the burden of caring for a daughter.

In some cases, girls were married off to much older men who had the power and authority to control every aspect of their lives. These young brides were denied education, freedom, and the chance to make their own choices. They were often subjected to abuse and mistreatment, with no way to escape their circumstances.

Although child marriage was officially outlawed in the UK in the late 19th century, it continued to occur in some communities well into the 20th century. In recent years, efforts have been made to raise awareness about this issue and provide support to those who have been affected by it.

It is important to remember the victims of child marriage and to work towards preventing it from happening again in the future. By educating ourselves and others about this dark part of our history, we can ensure that all children are able to grow up in a safe and supportive environment, free from the constraints of forced marriage.

Nada Alahdal

Human right activist
Nada Foundation