On the occasion of the International Day against Violence against Women, the organization Terre des Femmes refers to the study "Forced Marriage in Germany", which it has compiled in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). It shows that in 2008, more than three thousand young women were threatened and affected by forced marriage. More than 70 percent of those affected were under 21 years of age. According to Terre des Femmes, every year around ten million girls around the world are given birth before they turn 18. Married for the rest of her life. Forced marriage often involves being trafficked abroad.
In this context, the Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Social Affairs, Kristina Schroder (CDU) refers to the "estimated number of unreachable intimidated people", which is so high that "no one can reliably estimate it". There is also an "alarming connection" between the experience of violence within one's own family and forced marriage, Schroder said. A nationwide help line, to be established by the end of 2012, aims to remedy this situation.
According to the Federal Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration, Maria Bohmer (CDU), in 44 percent of women threatened by forced marriage, the family comes from Turkey, followed by Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan. "We will not leave the girls and young women who have grown up and gone to school in Germany alone," said Minister of State Bohmer. She also appeals to other countries: "At the same time, the countries of origin are called upon to do everything in their power to combat the serious human rights violation of forced marriage. She also points out that men and boys are also affected by forced marriage. However, the six percent of those covered by the study did not address the compulsion and do not see themselves as victims.
Female genital mutilation is also an ie. "In Germany, there are about 20.000 affected and over 5.000 girls are at risk of being circumcised in Germany or abroad. Up to 150 million girls and women worldwide are affected by female genital mutilation," according to Terre des Femmes.
UN Women head Michelle Bachelet unveiled a 16-point plan in 2011 to end violence against women worldwide: "Although gender equality is guaranteed in the interventions of 139 countries and territories, women are too often denied justice and protection from violence. This failure is not due to a lack of knowledge, but to a lack of investment and political will to meet the needs of women and protect their fundamental rights. It's time for governments to take responsibility," says Bachelet.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, also known as the "International Day against Violence against Women," has been held annually since 1981 as a day of commemoration and action to combat discrimination and violence of all forms against women. Thematic is the observance of human rights towards women and girls. The goal is to strengthen women's rights in general. Topics are u.a. Forced prostitution, sexual abuse, sex tourism, rape, female circumcision, domestic violence, forced marriage, prenatal sex selection, female poverty, the killing of women primarily by men and its state acquiescence and support, so-called femicide. It will also support programs that explicitly advocate for women's equality in areas such as inheritance law, education, private property, suffrage.
