Podgorica, (MINA) – Early detection and identification of potential victims is one of the solutions to the problem of child arranged marriages, said executive director of the Center for Roma Initiatives, Fana Delija, noting that this NGO identified nine cases of such marriages in Montenegro last year.

Delija told the MINA News Agency that three cases of child arranged marriages were recorded in Niksic and Podgorica, and one case each in Berane, Kotor and Tivat.

She stated that last year there was one case more than in 2024, when eight child arranged marriages were identified.

“This year, eight victims were between the ages of 14 and 16, while one girl reported a child arranged marriage just before turning 18. In 2024, the youngest victim was 11 years old, and the others were between 14 and 16”, stated Delija.

When asked about solutions to the problem of child arranged marriages, she stressed that early identification of victims is crucial.

According to Delija, the legislative framework should be amended so that the age limit for marriage must be raised from 16 to 18 years, without exceptions, because the girls often enter child marriages shortly after turning 16.

Delija emphasized that the state should recognize that it is necessary to build a shelter for victims of child arranged marriage.

Speaking about the institutional response to the problem of arranged child marriages, she said that it was concerning that out of all the cases from last year, only one is currently under investigation.

Delija added that they expect the case to be qualified as a criminal offense of human trafficking for the purpose of child marriage, stating that, unfortunately, other cases were dismissed due to a lack of evidence.

According to her, this sends a very negative message, above all to the Roma and Egyptian communities, and discourages potential victims from reporting such cases.