Child marriage in Iran highlighted by survivor

Mina Khanoom’s childhood marriage and her resilience highlight ongoing challenges of underage unions in Iran.

A life shaped by child marriage in Iran

Mina Khanoom grew up in a remote Iranian community where early marriage was common. At age 12 she was married to a man three decades older, and by 14 she was pregnant with her first son. She gave birth to a second son four years later. Her husband died in a car crash when she was 19, leaving her a widow with two children and little family support. She found work at a military hospital during the Iran-Iraq War, performing tasks from cleaning to assisting surgeons, while also taking on childcare for wealthy families in Northern Tehran.

Over the years Mina balanced work and motherhood, never abandoning her sons. She dreamed of leaving Iran and continuing her education, a goal hampered by economic and social barriers. The piece places her story within a broader debate on child marriage, noting that in Iran the legal minimum age for girls is 13 and many cases go unregistered. It also contrasts with the United States, where the national limit is 18 with rare exceptions. Mina’s life shows how trauma, poverty, and limited access to schooling can trap families in cycles that are hard to escape.

Mina’s story illuminates a systemic problem: poverty, lack of access to education, and fragile social safety nets often push families toward arranged unions for girls. Legal frameworks matter, but enforcement and cultural norms shape real outcomes. The broader context—wars, economic strain, and gender expectations—keeps girls vulnerable even when laws exist. If policymakers want lasting change, they must connect protections for girls with investment in schooling, child care, and survivor support. Change and hope are not the same thing; the policy shift must translate into resources and opportunities that outlive a single generation.

Highlights

Mina’s story challenges complacency and invites readers to demand concrete protections for girls.