Esin Koç
-Visual Artist, Photographer, Editor- Istanbul, Turkey
EARLY MARRIAGES (Cuvaldız) (2010)
Economic reasons, traditions, the concept of honor and the misinterpretation of religious beliefs and the thought that girls will get rid of the house due to domestic unhappiness and social status cause early marriages. According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child signed by the United Nations, persons under the age of 18 are considered children. However, according to statistics, 30% of marriages in Turkey take place between the ages of 12-19.
Early marriages, which have historically been seen as a means of making unacceptable sexual behavior intolerable in society and as a means of economic security, are now in a situation of sexual and economic exploitation for girls. It also violates the many interrelated rights of children, such as the right to equality, education and development, and freedom from slavery.