Forced marriage

A forced marriage is a marriage which happens against the will of one or both partners. A forced marriage is different from an arranged marriage: In an arranged marriage, the parents or other third parties will help finding a suitable partner.

Unequal marriage, a 19th-century painting by Russian artist Pukirev. It shows an arranged marriage where a young girl is forced to marry against her will.

International human rights law including International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights[1] also prohibit unfree marriage without consent of each person.