Terre des Femmes video warns girls of forced marriage during school holidays

When a person is married against their will, it is called forced marriage. Often, these people are minors, often girls. The Berlin-based nonprofit women's rights organization Terre des Femmes , together with Aktion Mensch, has now produced a video to draw attention to this global problem, which also exists in Germany.

The video could be set in Neukölln . A girl in a wedding dress gets out of her car, having fun at school with her friends. She wears braces. The video has barely any sound; it's dark, striking, and oppressive. Suddenly, the girl sees a message from her mother on her cell phone: "Your wedding is confirmed. Today is your last day of school." She seems completely shocked.

This is exactly what's happening in Germany. Girls are no longer able to go to school overnight. "Every three seconds, a girl is married worldwide. It's happening in Germany too. Mostly unnoticed," the video later says. It then encourages those affected: "Get help. It's your life. Before it's too late." Further support is available at zwangsheirat.de .

Under the video, the organization writes: "In Germany, too, girls are abducted and married against their will – often with lifelong, painful consequences. School is often the only place where girls and young women who fear forced marriage can seek help. Because during the school day, they are not under the direct control of their families."

Girls forced into marriage are no longer allowed to attend school

Forced marriage is a crime and a human rights violation. According to the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Affairs, girls and women who are forced into marriage often come from families in which other members have already been forced into marriage: "They often have a migrant background and, in many cases, are still minors. The majority of them grew up in Germany, have German citizenship, and are well integrated into society. Many girls and women who are forced into marriage are subsequently barred from attending school or from completing their education."

Terre des Femmes is a non-profit women's rights organization based in Berlin. It is primarily funded through membership fees and donations. This summer, for the fourth time, it is working with the Berlin police in schools to raise awareness among students about self-determination and forced marriage through workshops, as well as to inform them about the legal situation and available support services.