Marriage is often seen as a loving partnership built on trust, respect, and shared values. But sometimes, it’s used in harmful ways—especially when someone is forced into it without choice.
Forced marriage occurs when one or both individuals are married without freely agreeing to it. This can include situations where someone is pressured, tricked, threatened or abused into staying in a marriage they don't want.
Such marriages are often arranged by family or community members. They may involve emotional blackmail, isolation from friends and support, physical violence or financial control. People in forced marriages can suffer serious long-term effects such as psychological trauma, domestic abuse and loss of freedom, education and personal growth.
Not always – but sometimes, yes. Forced marriage can be considered human trafficking when someone is forced, deceived or coerced into a marriage that leads to abuse or exploitation. This might include sexual violence, forced labour or domestic servitude. In some cases, marriage is used as a way to exploit someone. In other cases, it is the result of a larger trafficking scheme, where someone is recruited or taken advantage of because they are vulnerable.
According to the United Nations Trafficking in Persons Protocol, trafficking involves three key elements: an act (recruitment or receipt of a person), a method (using force, lies or threats), and a purpose to exploit the person. If a forced marriage includes all three – someone is handed over without consent, tricked or threatened, and then abused – it can be considered human trafficking.
Forced marriage can happen to anyone – regardless of age, gender or background. But some face a much higher risk. According to the 2024 UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, about one per cent of detected trafficking cases globally involved forced marriage. Experts believe the real number is much higher, as many cases go underreported or hard to detect.
Women and girls are especially vulnerable, particularly in societies with strict patriarchal traditions. Children from poor or displaced families, as well as people living in conflict zones or areas hit by humanitarian crises, are also at greater risk. Migrant workers and those with uncertain immigration status may be pressured into marriage as a way to secure residency or financial support.
The root causes of forced marriage are complex. Poverty, inequality and social pressure all play a role. In some cases, families struggling financially may see marriage as a way to ease their burden. In others, cultural norms that value family honor, obedience or male dominance can override personal choice.
Lack of education is another key factor. Without access to schooling, people – especially girls – have fewer chances to earn a living or make independent decisions. In unstable situations like armed conflict, displacement, or climate-related disasters, marriage may be seen as a way to gain protection or stability. But forced marriage isn't about love or partnership. Often, it’s used to control someone – whether for social acceptance, financial benefit or hidden exploitation.
Child marriage happens when at least one person in the union is under the age of 18. According to international human rights law, these marriages are automatically considered forced because children are not able to give full, informed and voluntary consent.
A child does not have the maturity, legal standing or freedom to make such a major life decision. That’s why child marriage is treated as a form of forced marriage.
However, forced marriage is not limited to children. Adults can also be forced into marriage through threats, pressure or manipulation, whether from family, community or other circumstances.
In short: Every child marriage is a forced marriage. But not every forced marriage involves a child.
UNODC plays a key role in the global fight against human trafficking, including cases where trafficking takes the form of forced or child marriage.
To strengthen international responses, UNODC works with governments, civil society and other UN agencies to improve laws, build capacity and raise awareness. Their efforts aim to ensure that exploitation hidden behind the veil of marriage is recognized, reported, and prosecuted.
In 2025, the Inter-Agency Coordination Group Against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT), led by UNODC, launched the policy brief “Addressing trafficking in persons through the lens of child marriage and forced marriage.” The document urges countries to treat forced and child marriage as serious forms of trafficking – not just cultural or family matters. It also emphasizes the need for survivor-centered approaches, especially in communities affected by poverty, displacement or conflict.
