At a time when humanity talks about progress, freedom, and rights, in some areas of the world children – and especially girls – continue to be deprived of the most obvious: their childhood.
In Afghanistan, “marriages” between adult men and girls aged 6 to 11 are still a horrific reality. Under the guise of “tradition,” young girls are given away by their own families to men decades older than them – often without their consent, will, or any understanding of what is happening to them.
This is not marriage. It's pedophilia. It's violence. It's a crime.
Children's bodies in wedding dresses
Childhood ends abruptly, from the moment a girl is forced into “marriage”. She has not had time to go to school, she has not played, she has not lived. Instead of dolls, she is given the duties of a wife. Instead of hugs, sexual intercourse is imposed on her. Many times, the result is serious physical and mental trauma, even death during childbirth, when she gives birth while she is still… a child. The silence of the world and the tolerance of society
But the most shocking thing is not just the act. It's the silence and acceptance.
The Muslim world, with some notable exceptions, does not actively condemn this criminal tradition. In many countries, not only are child marriages not prohibited, but they are legalized through religious and legal regulations. Some societies choose to “look the other way,” underestimating the value of children’s lives.
Where are the voices of the imams? Where are the laws that protect these children? Where is the international community?
Our voice – our responsibility
We cannot talk about a civilized world as long as little girls are led with tears and terror into “marriages” with men in their 40s and 50s. We cannot accept cultures that are based on oppression, pedophilia, and deprivation of freedom.
This is not a matter of religion – it is a matter of human rights.
Pedophilia is never a tradition. A call to action
This article is a voice. A cry. But it is not enough.
We ask international organizations, European governments, UNESCO, UNICEF, the UN: to demand the criminalization of child marriage worldwide.
We demand an end to funding states that do not protect their girls.
We call for an awareness and information campaign to be launched to prevent other children's souls from becoming victims.
Because every time a child bride dresses in a white dress, humanity dresses in shame.
It is a crime against humanity.
When horror doesn't just stay "there" - It's also imported to Europe
The horror of child “marriage”, which is shocking Afghanistan and other countries with similar patriarchal, theocratic regimes, is no longer limited geographicallyThrough waves of immigration and the absence of effective control, practices that offend human dignity find space to infiltrate the Europe – even in Greece.
Immigrants from countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan and other authoritarian Muslim regimes, are integrated into our societies, bringing with them not only the need for protection, but also cultural burdens that in some cases they conflict with human rights and the concept of child protection.
When tolerance becomes complicity
Europe – and Greece – They must show humanity, but not naivety.When phenomena such as child marriages, subjugation of women, imposition of Sharia or even religious “courts” within immigrant communities are beginning to be tolerated in the name of "multiculturalism", then we risk losing the fundamental values of our culture.
The horror He no longer lives on the other side of the world.It has also been transferred to our yards, and legitimized through silence, bureaucracy and political correctness.
The protection of children and women is a non-negotiable responsibility of European states.
No religion, no “cultural difference”, no “tradition” can be used as an alibi for:
pedophilia called "marriage"
- oppression of women called "faith"
- violation of freedoms called "culture"
Anyone living on European soil must respect European values, the rights of children and women – without exceptions.
