The girl, reported missing last September from Puntland, was discovered after her family learned she was living with Sheikh Mahmoud, who claimed to have married her with the consent of her father. Security forces intervened last week to rescue the child after protests erupted demanding her return and calling attention to the grave issue of child marriage across the country.
Human rights activists express disbelief at the situation, noting how the girl's family was unaware of her location for so long. Fadumo Ahmed from the Somali Women Vision Organisation stated, "What’s more shocking than the tragedy itself are the allegations of abduction and the lack of awareness from her family." This incident has reignited the conversation around Somalia's insufficient child protection laws; notably, there currently is no minimum legal age for marriage.
The child's journey began in Bosaso when a female relative allegedly took her to visit another uncle. However, after months and a viral video of the girl reciting the Quran surfaced, the family launched a search that led them to Sheikh Mahmoud's home. Initially, he claimed to be teaching her Quranic verses, but later admitted to the purported marriage, defending his actions using traditional interpretations of Islamic teachings.
The Puntland police, responding to the family's complaints, rescued the girl from Mahmoud’s home on March 25, ensuring her return to her family. An investigation is underway as Somalia grapples with high rates of child marriages driven by poverty, insecurity, and cultural customs. A 2020 UN and government report indicated that 35% of women aged 20-24 in the nation were married before turning 18, an alarming statistic showing little progress since 2017.
In response to ongoing calls for reform, Somalia's Ministry of Women and Human Rights had attempted to introduce a child rights bill in 2023, but this was sidelined due to objections from lawmakers. Although the bill is anticipated to return to parliament, no specific timeline exists. As public pressure mounts and awareness of these issues grows, the hope remains for legal and social changes to protect the rights of children in Somalia.
