Tradition of Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money Capitalism System - Day 292

If you haven't already, I suggest to read the Previous blogs to have encompassing understanding with regards to Child Marriage in terms of the severe Problems and the Practical Solutions that would implemented within an Equal Money Capitalism System:

 

Abusive child marriages will END in an Equal Money System - Day 284

Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money System (Overview) - Day 285

Poverty and Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money Capitalism - Day 286

Education Will END Child Marriage in an Equal Money Capitalism - Day 289

Health Disasters and Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money System - Day 290

Violence and Child Marriage - The Unspoken and Disturbing Truth - Day 291

 

 

 

 

The Problem:

 

In some Religions and Cultures, Child Marriage has become a generational tradition.

 

Child marriage is a traditional practice that in many places happens simply because it has happened for generations – and straying from tradition could mean exclusion from the community and the consequences emerge from such instances.

 

From Ending Child Marriage - UNFPA P. 19-20:

"In communities where child marriage is prevalent there is strong social pressure on families to conform. Failure to conform can often result in ridicule, disapproval or family shame. Local myths encourage earlier marriage of girls – such as in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia where people perceive menstruation to be

induced by intercourse – and such myths encourage earlier marriage of girls. Invariably, local perceptions on the ideal age for marriage, the desire for submissive wives, extended family patterns and other customary requirements (e.g. dowries or bride price), are all enshrined in local customs or religious norms.

 

In many contexts child marriage is legitimized by patriarchy, and related family structures, which ensure that marriage transfers a  father’s role over his girl child to her future spouse. This is often encouraged “to take place before a girl reaches the age when she might question it.” The reality for many women and girls in

rural areas is that their daily lives are more often dictated by customary laws than by national laws. "

 

 

From Ending Child Marriage - UNFPA P. 19:

Control over sexuality and protecting family honour

"Child marriage is traditionally recognized as necessary for controlling girls’ sexuality and reproduction. Cultural and religious notions of a girl’s virginity and chastity in many societies are directly linked to the honour and status of a family or clan. This means that there is tremendous pressure on parents to marry off girls early to preserve family honour and minimize the risk of improper sexual activity or conduct. Indeed, girls are perceived as incapable of protecting themselves through their own agency.

Girls in rural communities may be withdrawn from school at first menstruation to restrict their movements in order to protect their sexuality. "

 

What should concern us the most is how Tradition and Cultural customs have been used as an Excuse for instance, for child trafficking. For more information, please read:

MAURITANIA: Child marriage tradition turns into trafficking

NIGER: Early marriage – from rural custom to urban business

 

And in other case, girl that ran away from her abusive elder husbands, Prisoned by the Police because allegedly, the man who helped her to escape had sexual interaction with the girl and according to the cultural law, the punishment is 10-15 years in jail or death.

Please read: AFGHANISTAN: Widespread child marriage blamed for domestic violence

 

Also, I suggest having a look at:

Traditions can change - ending child marriage

Ending Child Marriage - UNFPA

 

The Solution:

 As Elder Graça Machel, Nelson Mandela's Wife says in her blog: “I believe that one of the main reasons why child marriage has not been tackled in a concerted way at the local, national or international level is that it is closely linked to tradition and it is often endorsed by religious figures.

There is no religion whose fundamental principles and values promote child marriage. It is not a matter of faith. Yet over time, a series of practices have developed which are now seen as “traditions”.

(Why we are building an alliance to end child marriage)

 

In most, if not all cases of Early Marriages of Children, the real starting point is Money.

Either through selling the Girl or settling Debt or the Fear of being outcast. Fear of being outcast from the perspective of - if one is outcast from one's environment, one cannot perform any form of economical activities to support one's family and therefor, being outcast has economical effects which again shows us that in essence, it is all about Money.

 

This is why, within the Equal Money Capitalism System, none of these Reasons, Justifications and Excuses to accept and allow Child marriage would be Valid and there for, with no Economical Threats on the heads of Billons of Families in this world and with Proper Education for actual self Awareness, Child marriage would cease to Exists as a traditional and Cultural Generational Design.

 

The Reward:

No Human Being should be allowed to be abused by the name of Religion, Tradition and/or Culture as the Main and really Basic Principle of the Equal Money Capitalism is "Do to another that which you'd like to be done to you". If we place ourselves in the shoes of these young girls, that are forced to get marry and in many cases, with Elder guy -  would we Enjoy our lives? Would we want to be forced to a Life of misery where all form of choice has been taken a way from us? No! and therefor, the Reward of Ending child Marriages from the Perspective of Tradition, Culture and Religion is to End Abuse and Suffering of Millions of young girls in this world because we wouldn't want ourselves to be forced to live such Lives.

 

On a global Scale, Ending Child Marriages would assist and support with the Development of humankind as there would be more people, that would enter the Cycle of Education and would be able to express themselves and Contribute to this world within their capacity and capability.

 

SO - Equal Money Capitalism System would END Child Marriages and all the Consequences that comes with it which from here, we could grow, expand and empower the human Race to become effective and supportive human beings. Human beings with effective Life Skills, Educations and tools to allow one to make informative decisions within the principle of that which is best for all. In this, we not only Ending the Consequences, we are Preventing the Consequences so that abuse such as this, will never reoccur again.

 

Videos that I suggest watching:

Too Young to Wed: Destaye

Too Young to Wed: The Secret World of Child Brides

The Bride Price: Consequences of Child Marriage Worldwide

Bangladesh Child Marriage (A documentary by BBC's Angus Crawford)

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Hilary Clinton join forces to end child marriage

 

 

Articles to read:

Child Marriage Factsheets

Child Marriage Fact Sheet - Unicef

National Geographic - Child Brides

The terrifying world of child brides: Devastating images show girls young enough to be in pre-school who are married off to older men  

Health Consequences of Child Marriage in Africa

Solutions to Ending Child Marriage in Southern Asia

 

Suggested Websites:

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
To Young to Wed

Violence and Child Marriage - The Unspoken and Disturbing Truth - Day 291

 

 

If you haven't already, I suggest to read the Previous blogs to have encompassing understanding with regards to Child Marriage in terms of the severe Problems and the Practical Solutions that would implemented within an Equal Money Capitalism System:

 

 

 

Abusive child marriages will END in an Equal Money System - Day 284

Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money System (Overview) - Day 285

Poverty and Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money Capitalism - Day 286

Education Will END Child Marriage in an Equal Money Capitalism - Day 289

Health Disasters and Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money System - Day 290

 

The Problem:

 

Here is some Factual Info:

• Girls who marry before 18 are more likely to experience domestic violence than their peers who marry later. A study conducted by ICRW in two states in India found that girls who were married before 18 were twice as likely to report being beaten, slapped or threatened by their husbands than girls who married later.
• Child brides often show signs symptomatic of sexual abuse and post-traumatic stress such as feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and severe depression.

 

 

 

Unlike my Previous blogs where the Data and information were very much spread all over the internet, the issue with Domestic Violence and Abuse is less scares. However, I understand why - the girls are so powerless from getting support and assistance in walking away from a life of abuse and for most part, even if they complain, there will be no one who would assist them as you can see in the article: AFGHANISTAN: Widespread child marriage blamed for domestic violence (which I will expand upon in my next blog in relation to Religion/Culture and Child Marriage. )

 

So - this blog is not backed up with facts and data like my previous blogs but as far as I'm concerned, I'm certain that child Abuse within child marriage is existent, I'm certain that these girls are powerless and require our assistance and support - humanity assistance and support, to never again allow any form of abuse towards children specifically - Verbally or Physically.

 

The Solution:

As you've seen in my previous blogs, there are ways and means to stop child marriage and in that, prevent the consequences that comes with it.

I showed you how Child Marriages can be stopped and why it must be stopped and with the Implantation of the Equal Money System, we would end all Abuse and Suffering of young girls that are currently forced to marry a man.

Ending child marriage must be a priority in the global understanding to end violence against children while providing each and every human being with an Equal opportunity to a fulfilling, Dignified and worthy Life with the establishment of a world wide Equal Money system.

 

 

The Reward:

 

I don't really have to specify it Do i? it is crystal clear what would be the Reward in Ending Child Marriages in relation to Violence and Abuse. No one that is sane in their mind, would want to see their child being abused by their partner so let's not accept and allow it happening to any child in this world as a whole.

 

This specific point is not about having a reward - it is about having a life that is safe, protected and cared for which shouldn't be rewarded but unconditionally given to every single human being, animal and plant in this world.

 

Videos that I suggest watching:

Too Young to Wed: Destaye

Too Young to Wed: The Secret World of Child Brides

The Bride Price: Consequences of Child Marriage Worldwide

Bangladesh Child Marriage (A documentary by BBC's Angus Crawford)

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Hilary Clinton join forces to end child marriage

 

 

Articles to read:

Child Marriage Factsheets

Child Marriage Fact Sheet - Unicef

National Geographic - Child Brides

The terrifying world of child brides: Devastating images show girls young enough to be in pre-school who are married off to older men  

Health Consequences of Child Marriage in Africa

Solutions to Ending Child Marriage in Southern Asia

 

Suggested Websites:

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
To Young to Wed

 

Health Disasters and Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money System - Day 290

 

 

 

If you haven't already, I suggest to read the Previous blogs to have encompassing understanding with regards to Child Marriage in terms of the severe Problems and the Practical Solutions that would implemented within an Equal Money Capitalism System:

 

 

 

 

 

Abusive child marriages will END in an Equal Money System - Day 284

Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money System (Overview) - Day 285

Poverty and Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money Capitalism - Day 286

Education Will END Child Marriage in an Equal Money Capitalism - Day 289

 

The Problems:

• Girls younger than 15 are five times more likely to die in childbirth than women in their 20s. Pregnancy is the leading cause of death worldwide for women ages 15 to 19. Girls age 15-19 are more likely (66.6%) to experience delivery complications compared to 30-34 year-old women (59.7%)2 and neonatal, infant and child mortality rates are much higher for younger girls.
• Girls' physiological vulnerability due to the small size, inelasticity, and lack of lubrication of the vagina and cervix is compounded by their exposure to frequent, unprotected, and sometimes forced sexual intercourse within marriage;
• Premature childbirth can lead to a variety of health problems for mothers, including fistula, a debilitating condition that causes chronic incontinence.
• Obstetric fistula results when a young mother’s vagina, bladder and/or rectum tear during childbirth, a condition that causes urine and feces leakage. It can occur when a young woman with underdeveloped physiology gives birth. Fistula patients are commonly poor women, ages 15 to 20, many of whom report early marriage. (United Nations Population Fund (2003). Obstetric Fistula Needs Assessment Report: Findings From Nine African Countries. UNFPA: New York.)
• Girls with fistula are often abandoned by their husbands and ostracized by society. There are approximately 2 million girls living with fistula, and 100,000 new cases every year. http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/341/facts.html
• Prolonged and obstructed labor, which is common among pregnant young adolescents, can lead to hemorrhage, severe infection, and maternal death. This is especially true for girls who experience additional pregnancy-related complications such as eclampsia. http://www.iwhc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3487&Itemid=629
• Child brides face a higher risk of contracting HIV because they often marry an older man with more sexual experience. For example, in Kisumu, Kenya, HIV infection rates are nearly 33 percent among married girls

ages 15 - 19, compared with 22 percent among unmarried, sexually-active girls of the same age.

• Young girls are more physically susceptible to STD's, have less access to reproductive education and health services but also because, young girls' negotiation skills and experience to ensure a healthy sexual life are less developed.

Child Marriage Fact Sheet - Unicef

Child Marriage Factsheets

 

 



 

 

The Solution:

 

In a Normal Society, a Society that appreciate Life and the Value of Life along with the understanding that the Human Physical body is that which allow us to have a Life - a common sense approach would be to have children only when the Human Physical Body is fully prepared for Pregnancy and Labor.

As I've mentioned in the previous blog, one of the main goal within Equal Money Capitalism System, is a free access to Education and thus, to becoming Self Aware of your human physical body.

 

Understand that within the current Cultural Design of Child Marriages, Awareness and understanding of the Pregnancy and Labor Consequences, is lacking however, once the people become educated and aware of their body physiology and the Physiology of their Children's body, the cultural design would change as no parent would wish to put their child under such risks because remember, Poverty will no longer be the force of child marriage in an Equal Money System.

 

Obviously, the HIV risks will reduce almost to nothing among young girls as they would no longer be forced into marriage and sex before they had educated themselves and are ready to walk a

partnership that is supportive and empowering.

Thus, the solution is once again - A process of Education and Self Awareness which all human beings will now have access to, within an Equal Money Capitalism System.

 

Obviously, Health care would be available for all and would function within the Principle of Prevention. As you can see in the documentary Why Poverty - Welcome to the World, health care at the moment is unreachable in the poor areas of the world which perpetuate the problem for so many children however, it can be done, and it must be done because it wouldn't be human not to.

 

Healthcare in Equal Money System

Equal Money Healthcare will track the Food Regimen, the Treatment Regimen, and the Diagnostic Regimen of Each Human to Enhance the Outcome of Optimum Living. This will Result in Real Science, producing a Healthy World focusing on Prevention as the Best Cure.

 

For more information, please research the Health Care Wiki Equal Money Page

 

The Reward:

Healthy, Educated and Aware society would ensure a Better life for so many. The Children and their parents would have a true Free choice where all the information would be presented to them and they would have the skills to comprehend the information and therefor, make informative decisions that are best for themselves and their children.

 

Fatal diseases and conditions would tremendously be reduced once the Education Processes would be Effective and Supportive in terms of becoming aware of the risks, the probabilities, and the consequences to the human physical body. Health care would no longer be scarcity and would be a basic right for all living beings which would result with Healthy society

 

Well-Being Goal:

The Equal Money System will Study the Psychological Well-Being of Humans to Ensure a Lifestyle free of Fear. The focus will be on Supporting Life to Practically Live Fulfillment and Happiness in Ways where Self-Gratification will not Harm any Living Being or the Environment. This is to Ensure the continuation of Earth as an Effective Resource for the Enjoyment of Future Generations.

 

 Videos that I suggest watching:

Too Young to Wed: Destaye

Too Young to Wed: The Secret World of Child Brides

The Bride Price: Consequences of Child Marriage Worldwide

Bangladesh Child Marriage (A documentary by BBC's Angus Crawford)

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Hilary Clinton join forces to end child marriage

 

 

Articles to read:

Child Marriage Factsheets

Child Marriage Fact Sheet - Unicef

National Geographic - Child Brides

The terrifying world of child brides: Devastating images show girls young enough to be in pre-school who are married off to older men  

Health Consequences of Child Marriage in Africa

Solutions to Ending Child Marriage in Southern Asia

 

Suggested Websites:

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
To Young to Wed

Education Will END Child Marriage in an Equal Money Capitalism - Day 289

If you haven't already, I suggest to read the Previous blogs to have encompassing understanding with regards to Child Marriage in terms of the severe Problems and the Practical Solutions that would implemented within an Equal Money Capitalism System:

Abusive child marriages will END in an Equal Money System - Day 284

Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money System (Overview) - Day 285

Poverty and Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money Capitalism - Day 286

 

The Problem:

 

Education and Child Marriage (Facts and Figures)

• Girls with higher levels of schooling are less likely to marry as children. In Mozambique, some 60 percent of girls with no education are married by 18, compared to 10 percent of girls with secondary schooling and less than one percent of girls with higher education.

• Educating adolescent girls has been a critical factor in increasing the age of marriage in a number of developing countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.

 

On top of that, one of the reasons for child marriage is the little likelihood of a high level educated girls to marry as a grown-ups because then, the girls are not as submissive as they tend to be when they didn't go through the Educational School years. The Boys' family prefer submissive girls than a strong characteristic girls for multiple reasons while the main reason is the preference of having a cheap labour force. In other words, uneducated girl is more likely to be trained to become a slave without having the basic life skills to stand up for herself. She is more likely to be manipulated and mould into the husband family wants, needs and desires, when and as the girl isn't educated. And so, some families feels pressure to marry the daughter as young as possible, even if that means that the child won't be able to continue her education, to increase the financial pressure on the Girl's family and to avoid 'future consequences' of having to provide for the child in her adult years if it happens that she won't get married.

 

 

The Solution:

 

Educating adolescent girls has been a critical factor in increasing the age of marriage in a number of developing countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand. (Mathur, S., M.Greene and A. Malhotra (2003).

 

 

Education within an Equal Money Capitalism is one of the important gaols if not the most important one, within the understanding that to be able to become an effective human being in this world and therefor, contribute to the better living of All, Education is required from a very young age.

Accordingly, when every human on earth is supported from birth to death, Education would be accessible for all without causing a pressure on the Family. Obviously, that includes all human beings, no matter what their age is and therefor, cultural habits would change with the introduction of the parents to Awareness of the Consequences and the Possibilities that are available to prevent such consequences.

 

Education, shouldn't be the responsibility of the family to provide but the responsibility of us all, in making sure that every child of this world will receive the best education possible no matter where the child is from or what beliefs the child grow up with. Education would be Free and no longer increase the financial pressure on a families because such pressure would cease to exists within the Equal Money System.

 

One of the Equal Money System Goals is Education:

"Education in an Equal Money System will prepare Each Human to become a Self-Aware, Responsible Part of the Human Race that lives a fulfilled and Extra Ordinary Life of Excellence, Happiness and fun. Equal Money will Ensure that every Citizen is Effectively Educated to Live in Harmony with Plants, Animals and the Environment in General."

 

For more information regarding Education in an Equal Money System, Please visit the Equal Money Wiki page:

The Role of Education in an Equal Money System

 

The Reward:

Imagine a Human Society where no one is left behind, when all are fully educated and aware of their accountability and responsibility for themselves and this world as a whole.

Imagine what improvements in science, technology and etc. we can come up with when Billion of people have now an opportunity to discover their capacity, their capability and their intelligent in finding solutions that can assist and support to perfect our lives.

I mean, in a perfect world, where there is no longer a need to compete for one's survival as all are taken care for, education can be truly an education process of assisting and supporting the beings to be more than who they currently are, due to the limitation that existent within the current education in the world, and to within that, develop reasoning and mathematical thinking, reading and writing skills that would result with higher level of effective human beings in this world, rather than automated robots that are being subjected to limit of education the Elite places upon the Educational programs. This is another problem that I would expand upon eventually but for the time being, I suggest to watch: The College Conspiracy and reading the article that was published just yesterday: Schools don't teach life skills warns Charles: Prince says education system leaves youngsters unable to develop into successful adults

 

Videos that I suggest watching:

Too Young to Wed: Destaye

Too Young to Wed: The Secret World of Child Brides

The Bride Price: Consequences of Child Marriage Worldwide

Bangladesh Child Marriage (A documentary by BBC's Angus Crawford)

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Hilary Clinton join forces to end child marriage

 

 

Articles to read:

Child Marriage Factsheets

National Geographic - Child Brides

The terrifying world of child brides: Devastating images show girls young enough to be in pre-school who are married off to older men  

Health Consequences of Child Marriage in Africa

Solutions to Ending Child Marriage in Southern Asia

Naghma, the Afghan girl sold to be a child bride

 

 

Suggested Websites:

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
To Young to Wed

 

 

 

Poverty and Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money Capitalism - Day 286

This is a continuation to:

Abusive child marriages will END in an Equal Money System - Day 284

Child Marriage will END in an Equal Money System (Part 1) - Day 285

 

 

Within the Previous blog, I presented General Problems with Child Marriages.

Today, we will go a bit more into the Details of the Problems and Present Solutions for the Problems with Child Marriages.

 

 

 

 

 

The Problem:

 

Poverty and Child Marriage:

 

As I mentioned in the previous blog, within the Poverty and Child Marriage Relationship:

 

• Girls living in poor households are almost twice as likely to marry before 18 than girls in higher income households.
• More than half of the girls in Bangladesh, Mali, Mozambique and Niger are married before age 18. In these same countries, more than 75 percent of people live on less than $2 a day.

 

According to The National Research Council and Institute of Medicine (2005) Growing Up Global: The Changing Transitions to Adulthood in Developing Countries. Panel on Transitions to Adulthood in Developing Countries. Cynthia B. Lloyd, Ed. Committee on Population and Board on Children, Youth, and Families. Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press, p. 432 :

"The household economic status is a key factor in determining the timing of marriage for girls (along with education and urban-rural residence, with rural girls more likely to marry young). In fact, girls living in poor households are approximately twice as likely to marry before 18 than girls living in better-off households."

 

(From: TOO YOUNG TO WED : Education & Action Toward Ending Child Marriage)

 

Another reason for a child marriage within the Poverty and Child Marriage Relationships is "Economic Gain". Meaning, the marriage of a daughter may also motivate poor families as a mean to settle debts.

 

Interestingly enough, the "Solution" for Poverty in the Context on Child Marriage was to Marry the Girl and in that, reducing the Financial pressure from the Girl's family. What was not understood within the Child Marriages and Poverty relationship is that this only perpetuating Poverty. Once the Girls are being taken a way from Education, their opportunities for a successful and meaningful life is diminished on their Wedding day. Instead of nurturing the Future of the Child within giving her effective Life Skills through Education, the child is doomed to a life of no real chance within the world system and all she could do is have children and work in the fields while carrying their child on their back for instance. These girls cannot stand on their own 2 feet within this current world system because without higher level of education, there is no substantial and real chance for a better life and thus - these girls would not be able to get out of the Poverty Cycle.

 

 

 

The Solution:

 

In an Equal Money Capitalism System, Poverty will Cease to Exists as the Value of Human Beings, no matter their culture, religion and countries would return to its NORMAL value which is the Value of Life. That means that for the first time in History, Humans would STOP striving for their Survival and Life that is worthwhile could be finally lived.

 

Thus, once all human beings are being taken care for by the world system through collective contribution within the understanding that all for and as one and one for and as all must work together within one's self honest capacity, and along with an effective world wide distribution system that would make sure that all the basic Life needs and more will be shared with every living creature on this earth, poverty would not be part of the Equation.

 

Once Equal Money Capitalism System is Established and Poverty is no more, the starting point of marrying a child to support or reduce the financial pressure from the family will no longer be valid and acceptable in the families' eyes.

 

I'm Certain that once poverty isn't part of the Decision making regarding the possibility of marry a child under the age of 18 against the child will and the Awareness of the Consequences this act may lead to, there would be no Family that would force a child marriage no matter what Culture and Religion the family is coming from.

 

 

The Reward:

Children can remain Children and discover themselves within a slow but sure process of effective Education in Learning practical and applicable Life Skills. Marriage would be an outflow of an agreement between the partners instead of children and adults for that matter, being forced to a partnership that they didn't decided for themselves and with their partner. Partnership must be about Principles that the partners are willing to stand for and as, together, principles that would assist and support the both of them to grow, expand and empower themselves and each other within a supportive and effective partnership.

 

With having Partnerships that based on mutual grounding and understanding within an agreement, our Human Society would flourish. People would start respecting each other and as we would see in the next blogs to come, Equal Money Capitalism System would also reduce significantly all sort of domestic Violence.

 

Children must not be an Economic resort for a family but an expression of who they are. Children all over the world would be Happy, Free to Express and Discover themselves, Free to Learn and Educate themselves - Children could be Children instead of young Adults.

 

In an Equal Money System, we won't have to worry about the well being of our children as we can be certain that no matter what, the children are protected, safe and taken cared for.

 

Suggested links to Investigate:

 

Videos that I suggest watching:

Too Young to Wed: Destaye

Too Young to Wed: The Secret World of Child Brides

The Bride Price: Consequences of Child Marriage Worldwide

Bangladesh Child Marriage (A documentary by BBC's Angus Crawford)

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Hilary Clinton join forces to end child marriage

 

 

Articles to read:

Child Marriage Factsheets

National Geographic - Child Brides

The terrifying world of child brides: Devastating images show girls young enough to be in pre-school who are married off to older men  

Health Consequences of Child Marriage in Africa

Solutions to Ending Child Marriage in Southern Asia

 

Suggested Websites:

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
To Young to Wed