Ten-Year-Old Girl in Yemen Married and Then Raped — Then Divorced

Another abuse story is emerging from the Middle East on the treatment of young girls. Nujood Ali, 10, was married to a man in his 30s, who then allegedly raped her. While she is now divorced, she has been criticized for confronting her husband and not accepting her fate. Not only was she denounced by some for not obeying her husband, but under Islamic Sharia law in Yemen, her family had to compensate the accused rapist.

According Nujood, she was repeatedly beaten and raped — despite the fact that her parents insists that the husband promised not to have sex with her until she was older.

Her father, Ali Mohammed Ahdal, insists that he made the man promise to let her grow up a bit before consummating the marriage.

It appears that Nujood is a bit old anyway as a Yemeni bride. Just a few months ago, an eight-year-old was granted a divorce after being raped and abused, click here.

At some point, such practice must be viewed as outside the scope of legitimate cultural or religious customs and be denounced as state-sponsored crimes against these girls and young women. If there is any notion of international human rights, raping eight and ten years (even under the protection of marriage laws) must suffice as a violation.

For the full story, click here.