A man, 70, married a 15-year-old girl in Saudi Arabia after she was sold to him for $20,000 by her parents. On Jan. 8, CNN reported that the marriage was made public after the girl ran back to her family following a fight with the man. He then complained to a local official, claiming that he got "ripped off." The case was escalated to the Human Rights Commission and is now being looked in to.
"The organization is planning to offer the girl as much help as she's able to receive, particularly legal help in case the courts require her to formally dispute the marriage," CNN reports.
The man, 70, who married the 15-year-old could lose the girl and his money in this case. It really depends on how the court looks at this "deal" and whether or not the help that she receives is enough to keep her away from him. Many look at the age gap and know that the girl was sold as an "item." Some would blame her parents and hold them accountable for what has happened. Many people are frustrated that things like this happen and that parents accept money in exchange for their young daughters -- many of whom are too young to get married to begin with.
There are many issues that arise in cases like this. Many believe that the 70-year-old man only wanted to use the girl for her body -- to rape her and have his way with her, however that may be. Others spend their lives trying to change the way things work but to no avail.
When a man, 70, marries a 15-year-old girl, it is obvious that it wasn't an affair of the heart. What do you think should be done in this case?
© Effie Orfanides 2013
Comments