A prior xeer agreement between two tribes may also be used to encourage a union (DRC 21 Aug. The father or guardian may justify the arrangement, believing that he is looking out for the woman's welfare (ibid.). Still, some women living in urban areas of Somalia who are aware of the law continue to refer to it (ibid.).Ī 2004 report by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) similarly indicates that a woman can be forced into a marriage arranged by her father or male guardian (21 Aug.
The author notes that although a 1975 Family Law states that a father must not arrange a marriage without the consent of his daughter, this law is no longer applied in the country (ibid.). However, to avoid this situation, the father or male relative of the girl may try to formalize the union without advising the family (ibid.). The article on marriage traditions in Somalia indicates that in cases where a marriage is arranged without the consent of the couple, the girl may be able to refuse the marriage if she gains her mother's support (Musse Ahmed 2004, 53). Further information on the banning of masaafo could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within time constraints. In October 2006, Islamic leaders in Somalia reportedly banned this type of marriage, known as masaafo, saying that it "violate islam" (SAPA/AP 30 Oct. However, the practice is frowned upon in Somali society and a woman who elopes may be "risking her family's wrath" (Musse Ahmed 2004, 54). Musse Ahmed 2004, 54).Īccording to an article on marriage traditions in Somalia published in a 2004 book entitled Somalia – The Untold Story: The War Through the Eyes of Somali Women, elopement is a common way for a Somali woman to avoid an arranged marriage (ibid see also Gardner and El Bushra 2004, 148). Another type of marriage is a marriage that occurs without the knowledge of the parents (i.e., where a couple secretly elopes) (ibid. According to Isak, one type of marriage is a marriage that is arranged by the parents, either with or without the knowledge of the couple (ibid.). 2004, 53).Ĭited in a joint Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and British report on human rights and security in central and southern Somalia, lawyer Hassan Isak provides a description of two types of marriages in Somalia (Denmark Mar.
Musse Ahmed 2004, 53 Musse 2004, 77 Denmark Mar. 2005), sources consulted by the Research Directorate indicate that arranged marriages, including forced marriages, still take place in the country (Canada 22 Aug. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.Īlthough non-arranged marriages have become more common in Somalia (SAPA/AP 30 Oct.
UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, OttawaĬanada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia: Prevalence of forced or arranged marriages in Somalia consequences for a young woman who refuses to participate in a forced or arranged marriage, 20 September 2007, SOM102612.E, available at: Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
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