There are quite a few things in life that are repugnant to society such as murder, rape, incest and so on. A recent article however, in one of our daily newspaper was particularly repulsive, even nauseating. I refer to an article captioned “Saudi Arabia to regulate girls’ marriage.’

According to the article, Saudi Arabia, a predominantly Muslim country, plans to regulate the marriage of young girls after a court in that country refused to nullify the marriage of an eight year old to a man fifty years her senior. The intention of the regulation was to put an end to arbitrariness by parents and guardians in marrying off young girls to older men, some of whom are old enough to be the grandfather of the girls they are seeking to have as their spouses.

Such practices are not only immoral but are in violation of acceptable norms of civilized behaviour which in most jurisdictions are considered a crime. Yet, there are some countries, especially in the Middle Eastern countries where such practices are considered normative and are even encouraged by parents/guardians and regrettably by the justice system. A court in the Saudi town of Unaiza for instance, recently upheld a decision for a marriage of a fifty-year old man to an eight year old girl on condition that he does not have sex with her until she reaches puberty.

It is difficult to think of anything more absurd. Quite apart from the age gap of over two generations, there is the more important consideration of the physical, mental, psychological and emotional readiness of the child to engage in sex, particularly with someone who for all practical purposes has exceeded the realm of compatibility.

These obscenities are sometimes ‘justified’ under the smokescreen of culture and tradition. One justification, dating back some fifteen hundred years ago, sought justification in men having multiple wives to the act of “charity” and “compassion” on the part of wealthy men in which young women were being “rescued” from poverty by making them ‘wives’.

This practice still continues especially in some Islamic countries where financial considerations weigh heavily on decisions taken by parents and guardians to wed their underage daughters to elderly men, a practice which regrettably is being endorsed by the authorities.

Such practices must be condemned and brought to an end. The United Nations, through UNICEF should take a stand on such aberrations and should make it abundantly clear that practices such as these are in clear violation of the fundamental rights of the child whose liberty and freedoms, in particular the freedom of choice are being taken away from them by an unjust if not unscrupulous system which is being exploited by men of influence, power and wealth to satisfy their lust and sexual desires under the guise of religion and tradition.

The fact is that such a liberal interpretation of sex and marriage involving young females, many of whom are still to reach their teenage years must not be allowed to continue. The international community cannot sit idly by and allow the rape of our children under the smokescreen of religion and culture. Our children must be allowed to grow and develop in harmony with nature and be made to experience the joys of childhood without being snatched away by predators who claim to have altruistic motives but in essence are taking advantage of culture and wealth for their own sexual gratification.

I do not mean to be disrespectful to religious sensitivities but I do have a difficulty with any belief or practice which seeks to justify the sexual exploitation of our children and women on the grounds of patrimony or benevolence. Relationships between men and women, (and by women I do not mean children below the statutory age of consent) must be done on the basis of love and compatibility and not by force or coercion as is so often the case. Even the practice of arranged marriages which still is prevalent in our society should be discouraged. Society is progressing in the direction of greater freedoms including the freedom of choice and this is applicable to the freedom of choosing one’s life partner.

As a society, we need to advance culturally and intellectually and do not allow ourselves to become slaves to culture and tradition. What may be culturally relevant at a particular stage in society may become anachronistic at some time or another. Culture and tradition are dynamic and we need to adapt to changes especially when such changes are meant to advance the quality of life.