Honor-based oppression in Sweden

A special investigator for the Swedish government, Rebecca Lagh, reported that hundreds of thousands of children in Sweden face honor-based oppression. The investigation found that children’s lives are restricted from a young age, with guardians potentially infringing upon LGBTQ+ rights and gender-equal play. The report noted that teenage girls often face monitoring by male relatives regarding their social circles and clothing, and highlighted risks such as forced marriages and unauthorized ‘upbringing trips’ abroad. Lagh also observed that school staff frequently hesitate to report these concerns to social services due to fear of being perceived as discriminatory or a lack of knowledge.

In response to these issues, Sweden has implemented legislative reforms to combat honor-based oppression and religious coercion. These measures include expanded travel bans for minors at risk of rights violations and the criminalization of practices such as virginity testing and the failure to report forced or child marriages. Additionally, certain types of cousin and sibling-related marriages have been prohibited. The government has also introduced increased penalties for marriage-related travel crimes, a national helpline, and educational initiatives for newcomers. While some political figures debate the scale of the issue, critics point to warnings from the Swedish Security Service regarding religious control and radicalization.