Honour related oppression in focus on theme day for students
Mushgan Jalal, Reem Mohamed Elsayed and Sedra Shamie are sitting on some benches. They are going to illustrate a scene or text from the book "Stjärnlösa nätter” (Starless nights).
The book is written by Arkan Asaad. It’s about how a 19-year-old man is forced to marry a cousin, against his will.
– It shows that it's not only women who are forced to get married, but men too, says Mushgan Jalal.
The students have read the book, seen a play about the book and listened to a talk by the author who wrote the book.
In the classroom there are only young girls.
– In some cultures, it's hard to talk about issues like forced marriages and sexuality if you mix girls and boys, says teacher Helena Angelin.
Helena Angelin believes it is difficult for many people who are new in Sweden. Sweden differs very much from many countries, for example in the Middle East.
– There are students who cannot understand how someone may fall in love or hang out beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries, she says.
Issues surrounding honour related oppression are being discussed more and more. In 2014 a new law against forced marriage was introduced. Between 2015 and 2017, 150 cases were reported.
– My cousin in Afghanistan was forced to get married. He moved to London, got divorced and remarried. I'm glad my family is not the same, says Mushgan Jalal.
Sedra Shamie, from Syria, is worried that the book will portray a misleading picture of Muslim countries.
– Imagine if Swedish people believe that all families from our homelands act like this. Times change.
The girls discuss which factors influence the view of forced marriage. Education and whether you live in a city or in rural areas matter, they believe.
– My grandmother was already married when she was 15 years old, even though she was not forced, says Reem Mohamed Elsayed, from Sudan.
– My grandmother got married when she was 14 years old. She did not want to, but was forced, says Sedra Shamie.
But the girls agree that times have changed.
– My mum says that I need to get an education first before I get married. I can marry whoever I want, says Mushgan Jalal.
