Handout 2: Case Study Exercise, The case of an arranged marriage
The case of an arranged marriage (case study)
Learning Objective: To understand the meaning of “informed consent” and its relationship
to Gender-based Violence
Fatima’s father says he has some very important matters to discuss with her and her mother.
He then proceeds to tell Fatima that since she is now 18 years old he has arranged her
marriage to a man who is the son of a very good friend of him from long time ago. Her father
says this man comes from a good family, has a good job and the family has a good reputation
and this is a good match for her. Fatima’s mother tries to ask more questions about the man,
but the father says the marriage is arranged and he has complete trust that the marriage will be
a good one. Fatima has never seen or met this man, who is considerably older than her and
has already a wife. Fatima does not raise any verbal objections to the marriage and her silence
is taken that she is in agreement of the marriage. In traditional society, young girls do not
usually give their opinions or views to their fathers on partners for marriage; being too
forward is not seen as a good quality for girls, the more shy or embarrassed a young girl
appears the more she is perceived as being innocent and having good virtue.
Discussion questions
1. How common is this kind of situation in your country?
2. Did Fatima give her informed consent to this marriage?
Handout 2: Case Study Exercise, The case of an arranged marriage
3. Was there any force used in this incident?
4. Who is more powerful in this example – father or daughter?
5. What kind of power does this father have?
6. What kind of power does the daughter have?
7. What kind of power does the mother have?
8. How does power relate to choice in this example?