 |
| Ruzbeh Səadəti |
"An ethnic activist who only focuses on language issues and Azerbaijan’s economic and cultural problems while ignoring other issues, or feminists who solely address women’s issues, will not create a mutual connection between these struggles," said Ruzbeh Saadati. Highlighting the importance of collaboration between Turkish activists and feminists in bringing the issue of early marriages to public attention in Iranian Azerbaijan, Saadati stressed the need to coordinate efforts to address fundamental human rights violations.
Recently, Iran’s Sharvand newspaper published a report on social problems arising from child marriages in the village of Pesak, near the city of Khoy. The report noted that many girls in the village are married off at a young age because they cannot continue their education beyond elementary school.
According to Ruzbeh Saadati, poverty, educational shortcomings, traditions, and religious factors contribute to child marriages. He emphasized that the impact of these factors varies across regions.
“In some regions, early marriages primarily occur as a means of solving other problems. For instance, this is more common in economically disadvantaged areas. In the village near Khoy, girls cannot continue their education beyond elementary school because there is no school available. In this situation, unfortunately, girls who do not pursue education in this country are assigned another role: to get married and start a family.
Those opposed to the development of girls create further barriers. They see girls’ personal development as contrary to their traditions. They prefer girls to marry young and be shaped within their husband’s household."
The Turkish activist also criticized Iranian laws that permit the marriage of girls under the age of 13 under certain conditions, arguing that these laws contribute to the persistence of child marriage.
Saadati asserted that while the government bears primary responsibility for addressing the issue of child marriage, Turkish activists could play a role in raising awareness of the problem within society.
“Unfortunately, this issue has not been widely debated among Turkish activists. It has always been raised by feminists. However, Turkish activists also bear a responsibility to address this matter. Yet, every movement has its central concerns, and child marriage is not one of the primary issues of the Azerbaijani National Movement. The movement's focus lies in identity and language matters.
Of course, because this problem exists in Azerbaijan and among Turks, Turks are also responsible. But the main responsibility lies with the government. The government should enact laws and focus on raising awareness. Turkish activists can contribute by bringing the issue to public attention through the media and within society.”
In this context, Ruzbeh Saadati emphasized the need for collaboration between Turkish activists and women’s rights advocates.
"A nationalist who only focuses on language issues and Azerbaijan’s economic and cultural problems while ignoring other issues, or feminists who solely address women’s issues, will not create a mutual connection between these struggles," he added.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Ruzbeh Səadəti: Erkən nikah probleminə qarşı birgə mübarizə aparmaq lazımdır