forced marriage
Unwilling spousal arrangement
A forced marriage is one in which at least one party does not freely consent, typically coerced through threats, deception, or family pressure.
Distinguished from arranged marriage, where families may introduce partners but consent remains genuine.
Forced marriage is recognized internationally as a human rights violation: She escaped a forced marriage at sixteen.
Put into order
- dowryMarital property transfer
- bride priceGroom's payment to in-laws
- kinshipState of being related
- patriarchyMale-dominated social order
betrothal · endogamy · child bride · honor · family honor · caste · clan · consanguinity
Irresistible urge to act
- duressCoercion through threats
- pressureForce upon contact
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
imposition · compliance · submission · consent · nonconsensual · reluctance · resistance · objection
Pleading for a cause
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- equalitySame status for all
- human rightsInalienable personal freedoms
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
protection · reform · autonomy · choice · dignity · gender equality · self-determination · justice
Place of safety
- shelterProtected place or structure
- liberationRelease from constraint
- rescueSave from harm
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
safety · protection · flight · flee · elopement · relocation · extrication · safehouse
arranged
Put into order
- dowryMarital property transfer
- bride priceGroom's payment to in-laws
- kinshipState of being related
patriarchy · betrothal · endogamy · child bride · honor · family honor · caste · clan · consanguinity · customary
compulsion
Irresistible urge to act
- duressCoercion through threats
- pressureForce upon contact
- obligationRequired task or commitment
constraint · imposition · compliance · submission · consent · nonconsensual · reluctance · resistance · objection · resignation
advocacy
Pleading for a cause
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- equalitySame status for all
- human rightsInalienable personal freedoms
legislation · protection · reform · autonomy · choice · dignity · gender equality · self-determination · justice · criminalization
refuge
Place of safety
- shelterProtected place or structure
- liberationRelease from constraint
- rescueSave from harm
sanctuary · safety · protection · flight · flee · elopement · relocation · extrication · safehouse · survivor
- marriage barriersbigamy, lack of consent, duress, underage, incest
- marriagebride, groom, wedding, husband, wife
- social issuesinequality, racism, poverty, illiteracy, homelessness
- women's rightssuffrage movement, women's suffrage, women's rights, gender equality, feminism
- coercion crimeskidnapping, extortion, blackmail, human trafficking, false imprisonment
- controversial practicesabortion, capital punishment, death penalty, euthanasia, torture