In Somalia, outrage is sweeping through communities following the discovery of an eight-year-old girl who had been missing for six months and was found living with a man claiming to be her husband. The girl vanished from her family in Puntland last September, and after extensive searching, it became apparent that her father had approved her marriage to Sheikh Mahmoud, an adult man.
Last week, security forces forcibly entered the man's residence after he locked himself and the girl in a room. Social media exploded with anger and protests erupted in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, demanding justice and a reevaluation of child protection laws, especially given that no legal minimum age for marriage currently exists in the country. Fadumo Ahmed, head of the Somali Women Vision Organisation, expressed shock at the case, emphasizing the need for legal action against those involved.
The girl’s uncle revealed that she was taken from her home by a female relative under the pretense of visiting a family member. A video later surfaced showing the girl reciting the Quran, prompting her family to search for her. They eventually found her living with Sheikh Mahmoud, who initially claimed he was simply teaching her but later claimed they were married with her father's consent. When questioned, Sheikh Mahmoud defended his actions by citing Islamic practices, despite widespread opposition from Somali scholars.
After the family filed a complaint, Puntland's police removed the girl from the situation, and a new investigation has been initiated. Child marriage remains a controversial issue in Somalia, with 35% of women aged 20 to 24 reported to have been married before 18. Efforts exist to reform child protection laws, but prior proposals have faced obstacles in parliament, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive reform.
