Abstract

Forced Marriage: Introducing a social justice and human rights perspective brings together leading practitioners and researchers from the disciplines of criminology, sociology and law. Together the contributors provide an international, multi-disciplinary perspective that offers a compelling alternative to prevailing conceptualisations of the problem of forced marriage. The volume examines advances in theoretical debates, analyses existing research and presents new evidence that challenges the cultural essentialism that often characterises efforts to explain, and even justify, this violation of women's rights. By locating forced marriage within broader debates on violence against women, social justice and human rights, the authors offer an intersectional perspective that can be used to inform both theory and practical efforts to address violence against diverse groups of women. This unique book, which is informed by practitioner insights and academic research, is essential reading for practitioners and students of sociology, criminology, gender studies and law.
Aisha K. Gill is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Roehampton University. Sundari Anitha is a Lecturer in Criminology at the School of Social Sciences, University of Lincoln.
'Avoiding the polemic that characterises much discourse on forced marriage, this wide-ranging but coherent collection is not only a significant addition to the academic literature, it provides valuable insights for those working on the frontline supporting girls and women at risk. The writers here recognise the difficult balancing act involved in identifying the specificities of forced marriage without reinforcing cultural stereotypes, and the debates in this volume range from the theoretical level to concrete recommendations for policy makers and women's organisations. This volume will help ensure that policy in the UK and Europe frames forced marriage as the human rights abuse that it is rather than a problematic cultural practice divorced from "mainstream" forms of violence against women and girls.' Moira Dustin, Visiting Fellow, LSE Gender Institute 'In this important addition to knowledge, academics and lawyers extend our understanding of forced marriage, locating it in the continuum of gender based violence against women whilst outlining its particularities, including the myriad pressures on women at entry, during and on exit from marriage. Revealing and challenging analyses identify the traps of culturalised policies, whilst simultaneously noting the constrained agency of minoritised women. It is a must for anyone who cares about gender equality and human rights.' Liz Kelly, London Metropolitan University 'This challenging, innovative and much-needed book on forced marriage brings together most of the main writers, researchers and activists in the field. International in scope, it is the first-ever book of its type in the UK and will be key in the field for years to come.' Gill Hague, Professor of Violence Against Women Studies Centre for Gender and Violence Research University of Bristol