Arranged/Forced Marriages: At the Intersection of Gender, Violence, and Sexuality
Lead Research Organisation:
Middlesex University
Department Name: School of Law
Abstract
An unjust social tradition can only be addressed when it is fully understood. This comparative and empirical research study aims to
investigate the phenomenon of arranged and forced marriages in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and diagram out its multifaceted
societal implications. Through the implementation of interdisciplinary and theoretical frameworks from various fields, including
gender and peace studies, the researcher intends to comprehend the role that such orchestrated or involuntary marriages serve in
the community, culture, and daily lives of Kurdish women and men. This study also aims to examine a range of tangential topics, such
as female sexuality or promiscuity and its dialectical connection to a family's presumed "honour", the social value of women's
virginity, and perceived moral violations which can result in "honour killings" against women to avenge offended families. Additional
examined variables include the socio-cultural function of female genital mutilation (FGM), reproduced gender roles and communal
discourses on masculinity in the KRI, and current women's political developments for more agency in the public sphere. By deploying
qualitative and quantitative research methods, including interviews with women and men on the ground in the KRI, the researcher
aspires to fill in the identified literature gaps on forced and arranged marriages and its ecosystem of surrounding issues. In so doing,
the research will illuminate the vital links between daily life and collective action, while meditating on women's existence, and
displaying the intertwined complexities that characterize their lives. Such discoveries are of interest to academia, human rights
organizations, international institutions, European Union states with sizeable Kurdish diaspora populations, and the Kurdistan
Regional Government, so that they can formulate coherent policies to prevent gender-based violence and achieve greater equality.
investigate the phenomenon of arranged and forced marriages in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and diagram out its multifaceted
societal implications. Through the implementation of interdisciplinary and theoretical frameworks from various fields, including
gender and peace studies, the researcher intends to comprehend the role that such orchestrated or involuntary marriages serve in
the community, culture, and daily lives of Kurdish women and men. This study also aims to examine a range of tangential topics, such
as female sexuality or promiscuity and its dialectical connection to a family's presumed "honour", the social value of women's
virginity, and perceived moral violations which can result in "honour killings" against women to avenge offended families. Additional
examined variables include the socio-cultural function of female genital mutilation (FGM), reproduced gender roles and communal
discourses on masculinity in the KRI, and current women's political developments for more agency in the public sphere. By deploying
qualitative and quantitative research methods, including interviews with women and men on the ground in the KRI, the researcher
aspires to fill in the identified literature gaps on forced and arranged marriages and its ecosystem of surrounding issues. In so doing,
the research will illuminate the vital links between daily life and collective action, while meditating on women's existence, and
displaying the intertwined complexities that characterize their lives. Such discoveries are of interest to academia, human rights
organizations, international institutions, European Union states with sizeable Kurdish diaspora populations, and the Kurdistan
Regional Government, so that they can formulate coherent policies to prevent gender-based violence and achieve greater equality.
Organisations
Publications
Hussain S
(2023)
UN Aspirations for Gender Equality in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Hussain S.F.
(2023)
Kurdish women's feminist poetry: Developing a voice in southern kurdistan and the diaspora
in Essays on Modern Kurdish Literature
Hussain, S. F.
(2023)
Jin, Jiyan, Azadi: Kurdish Women Resisting in the 4 parts of Kurdistan
Hussain, S. F.
(2023)
Freeing the 51%: Women Remain the World's Largest Oppressed Nation
Hussain, S. F.
(2023)
Surveying the landscape of women's rights: Observations from a researcher
in European Center For Populism Studies - Peer-reviewed, Open Access, Academic Journal Online
Hussain, S. F.
(2022)
Women's Rights in the KRG: Q&A With Karwan Jamal Tahir
Hussain, S. F.
(2024)
Protecting Women's Agency in the Middle East
Hussain, S. F.
(2025)
Kurdish Women: Redefining Freedom through Resilience
Hussain, S. F.
(2022)
La mia infanzia Curda nella Baghdad di Saddam
in ARCHIVI DI STUDI INDO-MEDITERRANEI XII - University of Bologna Academic Journal
| Description | a) Significant New Knowledge Generated - This research is informed by fieldwork conducted by the author in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, including 55 qualitative interviews with policymakers, United Nations (UN) officials, attorneys, academics, activists, civil society members, plus women and male survivors and perpetrators of GBV. In addition, a quantitative survey was conducted among 200 respondents, both women and men, to gauge opinions on the multi-faceted phenomenon of GBV. The data collection revealed that amongst young girls who married between the ages of 14-17 and 18-24, the forced marriage rate was 20%. The occurrences of child marriages and forced marriages are caused by various factors, including tribal and patriarchal norms, cultural standards, harmful gender customs and practices, the lack of formal education, power imbalances in the household, and harmful masculinity values related to how men are expected to behave. The research showed that child and early marriages usually occur in rural areas governed by tribal and patriarchal norms, in violation of the state's laws which these communities do not recognize. The research showed that Honour-based Violence is widespread across all socioeconomic backgrounds equally. An added nuance was also the perceptions of women and how many of them have internalized patriarchal norms which directly endanger them, perceiving that they will only be applied to other 'more deserving' women and not themselves. Honour-based violence puts girls and women at risk for various reasons tied to patriarchal and tribal rules, in addition to social and cultural perceptions concerning a woman's 'proper' role. The data collection revealed that 20% of girls and women between the ages of 18-40 were subject to FGM. Between the ages of 50-65, the percentage was between 60-70%, with higher percentages being found in the rural periphery compared to cities. This data displayed a significant reduction in FGM numbers, following campaigns by UN agencies, NGOs, governmental institutions, and international and humanitarian organizations to raise awareness about this harmful practice and informing the society about its physical and mental health consequences. b) For more detailed information on the new knowledge generated, please refer to the Common Outcomes Section (on Researchfish), where I have reported on 7 additional publications covering an article, a policy brief, a working paper and four pieces categorised as other. c Completed additional training in year 2. d) Invitations to Present Research - In 2024 and 2025, I have been invited to present my research at two seminars, two webinars, five conferences, and multiple roundtables. Notable engagements include: (1) Kurdish Washington Institute (US - Think Tank) (2023 and 2024), (2) Kurdish Women in the Diaspora (2023), (3) NATO Mission in Iraq (2024), (4) IMISCOE Conference (2024), (5) Kurdish Academy Annual Conference (2024), (6) London School of Economics Kurdish Studies Conference (2024), (7) London School of Economics Kurdish Studies Conference (2025), (8) 4thInternational Kurdish Studies Conference University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (2025), (9) MSCAA Annual Conference (2025), (10) the European Center for Populism Studies (2025), (11) Centre for Kurdish Progress (UK) (2025). e) Noteworthy New Research Networks, Collaborations, and Partnerships - I have established a broad and interdisciplinary research network, engaging with: (1) academics, (2) policymakers, (3) United Nations representatives, (4) activists, and (5) NGOs advocating for women's rights in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the broader Middle East. Furthermore, I have expanded my international collaborations, developing networks across Europe, the United States, and the United Kingdom, where I actively engage with academics, policymakers, and NGOs to advance research and policy discussions in this field. |
| Exploitation Route | Future Development and Dissemination of Findings - The findings of this research will continue to be developed and expanded by the researcher, Shilan Fuad Hussain. To date, I have submitted the following outcomes for publication: (a) Two articles in academic journals, (b) A monograph, (c) An edited book featuring contributions from 10 academics in the field, (d) An edited volume with 50 academic contributors, forthcoming. These will be useful to academics, NGOs, international organisations, especially those concerned with women's rights and gender equality. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Education Government Democracy and Justice Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Security and Diplomacy |
| URL | https://www.shilanfuadhussain.com |
| Description | Impact on NGOs and Social Work in the Women's Rights Sector - The research has had a direct impact on NGOs and social workers operating in the women's rights sector, as documented in the "Influence on Policy, Practice, Patients, and the Public" section of the Common Outcomes Section on Researchfish. The researcher has engaged in discussions with seven NGOs focused on gender-based violence (GBV), addressing key issues such as: (1) The root causes of GBV in Kurdish society, (2) Strategies to empower young girls and women, (3) Shortcomings in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) legal system concerning women's rights, (4) Potential structural collaborations between NGOs to enhance their impact, (5) Securing international grants and raising funds to sustain women's rights initiatives, and (6) Improving support systems for women survivors currently assisted by these NGOs. Throughout these engagements, the researcher has offered detailed insights and provided strategic recommendations on addressing these challenges. As a result, several NGOs have revised and improved their practices following these discussions. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | Gender Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation, Forced marriages, honor killings, and cyberbullying of women in Iraqi Kurdistan. |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | We discussed the need for legal protections on the right to divorce, and why the KRG health system should give priority to mental health assistance to women victims, as many of them face these traumatic experiences in silence. Since psychological help is still a taboo in our society, Shilan helped us think of ways to address this stigma and get women to see the importance of therapy in dealing with their trauma. I helped them to think of ways to reach out to men and recruiting their cooperation in ending many of these scourges in our society. From her field interviews with men here, she was able to give us advice on the ways that their worldviews are passed down onto their daughters and inherited, showing us that one of the ways we can increase women's freedoms is by dealing with the cultural conditions that lead men to perpetuate harmful ideas on family "honor". Lastly, I worked with NGOs on ideas for meetings, conferences, and public policy briefings on these topics that our NGO could conduct to help raise awareness. In these matters, Shilan had many helpful fresh perspectives from her own life that we were able to gain from. We would gladly have Shilan back again at our NGO in any future research I may wish to conduct. The publication of a Policy Brief with the Geneva Center for Security Policy is forthcoming in 2024 |
| Description | 4th International Kurdish Studies Conference |
| Amount | € 600 (EUR) |
| Organisation | University of Kurdistan Hewler |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | Iraq |
| Start | 03/2025 |
| End | 04/2025 |
| Description | EU Turkey Civic Commission |
| Amount | € 800 (EUR) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 12/2023 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Invited as a speaker to a Conference titled: The Long Twentieth Century of Kurds and Kurdistan. Link: https://cmes.macmillan.yale.edu/events/call-papers-long-twentieth-century-kurds-and-kurdistan |
| Amount | $1,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | Yale University |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 04/2024 |