The practice of marrying young girls is widespread in Yemen, especially in rural, tribal areas of the country. It is a traditional practice going back centuries, a practice that remains alive because of gripping poverty which many in Yemen face. Poor families find it difficult to refuse the “bride-price” paid to the family from the groom to be.
More than 25% of Yemen’s females marry before the age of 15 as it is believed that a younger bride can more easily be shaped into an obedient wife and has the opportunity to bear more children. In the 1990’s the Yemeni parliament set the age of marriage at 15 but that was soon annulled as people strongly believe that parents and not the government should decide when a daughter has the right to marry.