Forced marriage among Somali refugee girls: A qualitative study on poverty, gender-based violence, and human rights violations

The political landscape of the Horn of Africa has been marked by persistent instability over recent decades. This fragility, compounded by recurrent natural disasters, has profoundly impacted civilian populations, exacerbated food insecurity and triggered widespread displacement. Heightened political tensions between federal and regional authorities during the 2020/2021 elections further hindered the implementation of judicial, constitutional, and human rights frameworks. Protracted conflicts and droughts, floods, and locust infestations have intensified the humanitarian crisis, displacing millions. Among the displaced, a significant number of children flee the Horn of Africa to escape poverty, and conflict, and in pursuit of education and a better future. However, these children often become victims of abuse, including sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation, and forced marriage—a phenomenon that has risen sharply according to recent UN reports. Forced marriage, particularly affecting women and girls, represents a severe form of GBV and a violation of fundamental human rights. Refugee women are especially vulnerable to forced marriage due to economic hardships, patriarchal structures, cultural traditions, and religious pressures. This study explores the phenomenon of forced marriage as a violation of human and children’s rights, utilizing oral testimonies from unaccompanied minor refugee girls. The research sample comprised 20 refugee girls aged 16–17, residing in an Accommodation Centre for Unaccompanied Minors in Greece. These girls, originally from Somalia, either experienced forced marriage in their home country or fled to escape impending marriages. The study employed semi-structured individual interviews to gather in-depth insights. The findings reveal interlinked issues of poverty, GBV, the social construction of childhood, and the psychosocial dimensions underpinning the culture of forced marriage. The study also highlights the influence of cultural principles and beliefs in African societies.