13-YEAR-OLD CHILD BRIDE D-IES FROM SEVERE INTERNAL BLEEDING THREE DAYS AFTER MARRIAGE. (PHOTO).

  13-Year-Old Child Bride Dies From Severe Internal Bleeding Three Days After Marriage

A 13-year-old Yemeni girl, Elham Assi, died from severe internal bleeding just three days after being married to a man at least twice her age.

According to reports, Assi was allegedly restrained and sexually assaulted by her husband, Abed al-Hikmi, after the marriage. He was later arrested.

A doctor who treated the girl said she had suffered significant injuries and advised that her husband stay away from her for at least 10 days. However, a subsequent forensic examination reportedly found even more extensive injuries.

The tragedy has once again drawn attention to child marriage in Yemen, where poverty and the absence of effective legal protections have contributed to the continued practice.

Yemen’s parliament had previously approved legislation setting a minimum marriage age, but the measure was later repealed following opposition from conservative lawmakers.

Assi’s death is not the only case highlighting the dangers faced by child brides in Yemen. Other young girls have also reportedly suffered severe injuries or died following early marriages and pregnancies.

Child marriage deprives children of the opportunity to make informed decisions about their futures and can expose them to serious physical and psychological harm.

No child should be forced into marriage or exposed to abuse because of her age, poverty or family circumstances. Strong laws and effective enforcement are urgently needed to protect girls