Rally Against Early Marriage to be Held in Tbilisi
Don’t Make Her Marry is a rally event organized by the Georgian Women’s Movement which takes place in 13 different cities of Georgia on November 25th as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
“Sexual relations between adult men and girls under 16 is a criminal offense and the state turns a blind eye!” the Georgian Women’s Movement states, “Early marriage is accompanied by juvenile pregnancy and childbirth that threatens the health and lives of girls!”
In Georgia, every day four juvenile girls become mothers. Statistics are alarming, according to which, from 2011 until January 2013 7367 girls stopped education early because of early marriage and the related problems.
18 is the legal age for marriage in Georgia. According to the GWM the word ‘marriage’ is unsuitable for the position of under-age girls, who are in fact thrown out of their homes, married and sold as a commodity by their parents because of economic hardship or due to traditions.
They say to give the girls what they deserve: their own lives, choice, education and independence!
The rally in Tbilisi will be held at the Government of Georgia Chancellery at 8PM.