13 year old girl sold into marriage gets rejected by her groom over body defect ~ Bridal Slaves Rescue & Restore campaign

EMPOWER PEOPLE is an NGO in India working to protect female victims of violence and mitigate post-violence trauma. EMPOWER PEOPLE is one of the pioneer organizations focusing on the issue of human trafficking for the purpose of forced marriage.

What is also called "bride trafficking" affects a yet unknown number of girls, particularly from poor backgrounds, who are deceived and trafficked to be sold as brides. According to information gathered by EMPOWER PEOPLE, a middleman seeks an agreement on an arranged marriage with the family of the girls. Later those girls are transferred to another places where there is a high demand of brides, like Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan where they are known as "Paro" or "Molki" (literally perched woman).

The main focus of EMPOWER PEOPLE lies on awareness raising and sensitization trainings for law enforcement agencies. The organization is also offering direct victim support and assistance to women vulnerable to human trafficking and domestic violence.

EMPOWER PEOPLE is currently developing projects of community engagement and rehabilitation of trafficking victims in both source and destination areas in seven states of India.

Visit www.empowerpeople.org.in

13 year old girl sold into marriage gets rejected by her groom over body defect

This is what happened in the case of a 13 year old girl from the Suceava County, which was sold to her would-be husband at the price of 17,000 RON. However, after the first night, the husband sent her back to her family, because she had a body defect.

The transaction would have remained secret if the groom did not object to the “merchandise,” as he found something wrong with the girl’s chest and sent her back to her parents, asking his money back.

It is now up to state authorities to punish this kind of deal. Although no formal complaint has been filed, Suceava police opened a probe into the case.

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