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Stop
Forced Marriages
By Njualem Columbus
A Fresh campaign to curb forced marriages has been put in place by the Home Office and the foreign office in a bid to tackle forced marriages mostly practiced by Asian and African communities -
The new campaign follows the setting up of a special unit last year to prevent forced marriages. The unit was set up after several reports of Pakistani girls particularly being taken from Britain to Pakistan and forced into marriages against their will.
The unit has had a presence at major British airports since last year. Notices have been put up at Heathrow airport to alert young girls that there is immediate help if they believe they are being taken away into a forced marriage.
The Foreign Office recently said about 250 to 300 cases of forced marriages were reported last years but the government believed the figure is higher than this as many more cases are not being reported.
The new campaign has been launched ''to let young people know there is help if they need it,'' The Foreign Office spokesman said. ''We also want to alert the adults that any attempt to force anyone into a marriage is an abuse of human rights.'' The campaign will be run jointly by the Foreign and the Home offices.
They will seek to publicise the 'You Have A Right to Choose' campaign of the Forced Marriage Unit widely across Britain. But though the problem became associated particularly with the Pakistani community it is not restricted to that section of the population.
The campaign will involve a series of radio and press adverts, TV fillers and poster campaigns. ''It will highlight the difference between forced and arranged marriage, and make clear that forced marriage is an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence,'' the Forced Marriages Unit (FMU) said in a press note.
''Forced marriage affects children, teenagers and adults from all races and religions, including Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs,'' Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland said in a press note. ''And it is not solely an issue facing Asian communities. We deal with cases in the Middle East, Western Balkans and Africa.''
She added: ''Forced marriage is a form of domestic violence and a human rights abuse. The victims often face emotional and physical abuse. We are determined to help young people at risk and protect their right to choose whom they marry.''
Lord Triesman, Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister said: ''The joint Forced Marriage Unit, which has recently celebrated its first anniversary, engages more widely than ever before to deliver effective support to people forced into marriages. We remain committed to providing confidential support and practical assistance for those at risk of being forced into marriage here and abroad.''
Writer and actress Meera Syal said the older generations must learn ''the vast difference between an arranged and a forced marriage...consent.''
Ameet Chana who starred in the television soap Eastenders pointed out that it is not just women who are forced into marriage.
''I, probably like most people believed that only women were affected and forced into marriage, but I was amazed to find that 15 percent of the cases that are currently reported to the Unit are men,'' she said.
''And I bet that the numbers are far greater, but it's hard for men to come forward and admit they need help and are being forced into a situation like this. This campaign is key to reassuring them that they are not alone and help is available.''
The Forced Marriage Unit was launched Jan. 26 last year. The unit involves the police in crisis situations and also provides practical support and information to people at risk of being forced into marriage.
Many NGOs and charities working in this domain as well as human rights organisation have echoed their support against forced marriage and are determine to join the government in heralding this campaign.
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