Feb 27 • 10:10 UTC 🇮🇹 Italy Il Giornale

Forced to marry at 14, the complaint of a Bengali girl: the prosecutor in Rome requests the conviction of the parents

A young Bengali woman, once forced into marriage by her parents at the age of 14, is now seeking justice, prompting a prosecutor in Rome to demand their conviction.

The story revolves around S.H., a young Bengali girl who was pressured by her parents to marry at the age of 14 to a man she did not know. Instead of succumbing to her family's demands, she resisted and sought help. This act of defiance highlights a significant clash between her desire for autonomy, to pursue a career in surgery, and the traditional expectations imposed by her family. Having suffered abuse for refusing to conform to familial expectations, the psychological and physical torment extended for over a year, illustrating the severe consequences of denying a child's agency.

S.H. recounts her experiences of relentless mistreatment, including severe violence from her mother when she resisted wearing a burqa or watching television. These incidents reflect a broader issue of domestic abuse rooted in cultural and traditional pressures faced by immigrant families. The public nature of her story and the legal actions taken could serve as a catalyst for dialogue on the subject of forced marriages and domestic violence within immigrant communities in Italy, emphasizing the desperate need for reform and greater protection for vulnerable individuals.

The prosecution's decision to advocate for her parents' conviction not only underscores the seriousness of the allegations but also signals a significant societal stance against coercive practices that violate women's rights. This case may help elevate awareness about the importance of safeguarding children's rights and could inspire other victims of similar circumstances to come forward, thereby promoting a more inclusive and protective legal framework for minors in Italy.

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