Field Report: Informative Session for Imams on Preventing Child Marriages in a District of the Southeastern Anatolia Region

Abstract

This study reports on an informational meeting held in the conference hall of a district mufti’s office in a district located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye, organized to raise awareness among imams about the harms of child marriage. The issue of combating child marriage was first brought to the agenda during a multidisciplinary district-wide symposium on the prevention of violence against children, organized by the district health directorate on October 12, 2024, as part of the International Day of the Girl Child. Child marriage stems from multiple factors such as gender inequality, economic hardship, lack of access to education, and entrenched social norms. The aim of the meeting was to raise awareness among imams regarding the negative consequences of child marriage, and the session was supported by interactive adult education methods. The meeting, planned by the district health administration, was attended by 200 imams. During the session, 10 participants took the floor during the informational presentation to share their views. The participants who spoke generally expressed the belief that the legal age of 18 is merely a formal framework, and that the appropriate age for marriage may vary depending on individual circumstances. Nevertheless, it was considered that two participants who emphasized the harms of child marriage during the session could potentially serve as health mediators in providing culturally appropriate health information. In conclusion, effective communication between the health administration and other institutions can be considered an important strategy in informing the public and preventing child marriage. Similar informational meetings can be implemented in different regions to better understand public perceptions of the issue and to develop more effective strategies for intervention.