Child Marriage - a disability to our growing society
There was a girl named Saakshi who was studying in 6th standard. Saakhi lived along with her family in a village of Rajasthan called Bhilwara. For her Bhilwara meant an entire world. She was very intelligent, energetic and a hard working girl. Her dream was to become a doctor so that she can cure and help her people of the village. And she knows that everything she needs to achieve her dream is by properly following her studies. But one day she gets married away.
Do you know what forced her father to take such a harsh decision?
Her father occupation was farming and due to the certain climatic condition, he was not able to earn up well that year. He was thinking to avoid money for Sakshi education as it seemed not very important to him.
Good morning ladies and gentleman
Thousands of children esp. girls across our country share the same fate as Saakshi. Don’t be shocked to hear childhood marriages are still prevailing in the 21st century. A century where you can send an instant message to anyone across the globe. It is an era where with the help of machines we humans are thinking beyond our limitations. But somewhere in part of globe people are not growing as fast as you are? They are still juggling with the old chaotic traditions which are only bringing misery to lakh of children.
According to 2011 Census, 78.5 lakh girls were married in 2011 and they were not yet 10 yrs. of age. 30% or 10.2 crore girls were married before the legal age in India as per Census 2011 data. This is alarming and at first, I was shocked to hear that.
So can we do something?
The most important factors which force child marriages are
1. Gender inequality – In many communities where child marriage is practiced, when a boy is born parents think a bread earner is born but when a girl is born they see her a responsibility which needs to be given to someone else. Marrying your daughter at a young age is viewed as a way to ease economic hardship by transferring this ‘burden’ to her husband’s family.
2. Culture AND Tradition- In villages when a girl becomes 12 or 14 years of age. It is the responsibility of parents and relatives to strictly follow their culture and tradition.
Marriage is the next step towards giving a girl her status as a wife and mother. A great quote says, traditions are made by people – and people can unmake them.
3. POVERTY- Last, when hunger and responsibility are at peak marriage is the only best option parents they think is good for their kids.
So what is the solution?
Knowing the solution doesn’t matter much as the implementation dominates everything. Having strong implementation and help from our community can bring a belief in eradicating such disability from society.
We should try to develop take a step forward whenever such atrocity could be prevented.
1. Providing the help of NGOs. There is certain foundation who help in protecting and guarding child rights. You can report to them if you find such incident in your surroundings.
2. Providing Education- Quality education in a proper schooling environment can make them independent working women. Remember by ensuring education for a girl you are ensuring education for her complete family. There are organizations like Teach for India, Piramal Foundation which teaches unprivileged children from slums. Volunteering for these organization could ensure education reach is increased.
3. ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT LAWS AND POLICIES- Laws and policies play an essential part in preventing child marriage. Many countries like India, which lack robust legal and policy frameworks which can help to prevent the practice and support married girls. A strong legal and policy system can provide an important backdrop for improvements in services, changes in social norms and girls’ empowerment. However for transformation to spark, governments must show strong political leadership by making the issue of national importance.
a) REGISTERING BIRTHS AND MARRIAGES- It could provide a manifold advantage to girls if the marriage ends and can protect any violations of laws.
b) Awareness about rights- By providing right we are giving them self-confidence and will prevent further child marriages.
In the end, you are the one who will define the future and create a better world for others.
Many families and communities see child marriage as a deeply rooted practice which has been part of their culture for generations. Whether the practice is cited as cultural or religious, it degrading our society. As I mentioned this is one day job and one person work. We should stand up united and try to contribute whatever little things we could do from outside. Whenever you have an opportunity to visit any village try to apply any of the things from your side. It could be as little as giving emphasis on girl’s education. I know the situation could not be changed in one day but we can start from our side.
“Be the change you want to see in others and rest will happen automatically”
Biblography
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