The Myth of Consent: Socio-Religious Endorsement of Forced Marriages and Human Subjugation
Keywords:
Forced Marriages, Endorsement, Human Trafficking, individual autonomy, Societal values etc.Abstract
This paper explores the intricate dynamics of forced marriage within the socio-religious context of Indian society, analysing its evolution, implications, and its alarming intersection with human trafficking. The study investigates how socio-religious endorsement and familial sanctions perpetuate forced marriage as a socially sanctioned practice. The endorsement of forced marriage has created enduring societal norms that prioritize familial honour over individual agency, creating a fertile ground
for human rights abuses. Forced marriages are often normalized within certain cultural and religious ideologies, transforming individual will into a collective obligation and subjugating personal rights. The convergence of forced marriage with human trafficking reveals the darker facets of coercion, where marriage becomes a vehicle for exploitation, commodification, and transnational human trafficking. Through a critical examination of the mechanisms that enable forced marriage, this paper identifies the socio-religious institutions that legitimize these practices and the complex web of stakeholders who both benefit from and suffer under these oppressive norms. Further, it discusses the severe implications on individuals, particularly women, who resist these practices—ranging from ostracism and honourbased violence to psychological trauma and economic insecurity. The paper concludes with a call for societal transformation that prioritizes individual autonomy, underscores the need for legislative reforms, and advocates for comprehensive support structures to protect the rights of those vulnerable to coercion in the name of tradition.
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