Early and forced marriage: the experiences of migrant women and their multidimensional impact

Introduction: Early and forced marriage (EFM) remains a harmful traditional practice that severely violates the human rights of girls and women, perpetuating gender inequality, social exclusion, and serious risks to physical, mental, and reproductive health. Objective: To understand the lived experiences of migrant women from countries where EFM is prevalent, highlighting the multidimensional impact of this practice. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study, grounded in Max van Manen’s perspective. Conducted within the European project Intercultural Approach to Prevent Harmful Practices (IAPHP), with ethical approval, the study involved phenomenological interviews with seven migrant women from cultural contexts where EFM persists. Results: Three core themes emerged: (i) cultural and social dynamics sustaining EFM; (ii) physical, psychological, and social consequences, including early pregnancies and isolation; and (iii) strategies of resistance, protection, and search for support. Participants reported family coercion, normalization of gender inequality, and lack of educational or economic alternatives, while expressing feelings of loss, suffering, and subjugation. Conclusion: EFM constitutes a structural violation of human rights that undermines women’s autonomy and perpetuates cycles of poverty and vulnerability. This study reinforces the need to prepare healthcare professionals—particularly nurses—for culturally competent interventions, as well as