Why am I an advocate to end Child Marriage?
Child marriage is a global issue fueled by poverty, gender discrimination and inequality. Children, usually girls in rural/undeveloped areas, below the age of 18 are often forced into marriage by their families which can have very severe consequences for the child.Forcing girls to marry before the legal age can be a hindrance to their mental, emotional as well as physical health. Their mind isn’t ready or mature enough to take important life decisions which come with being married and can also lead to unwanted pregnancy. They’ll be forced to face with considerable physical pain that is associated with sexual intercourse as a result of immature sex organs. Due to the desire for male children in some conservative rural families, the girl is forced to conceive many times till she gives birth to a boy. The age difference between the bride and groom generally puts the bride in a more submissive position than the groom hence she is unable to express her opinions freely.
Why does it occur?
Poverty: The issue of poverty has often led to the victimization of girl child as they’re often forced to marry at a young age by their families to avoid the “burden” of the girl child.
Avoiding expenditure of education: The thought that boys are superior to girls has often led families to provide the boy child with more opportunities and consider him as an economic base whereas girl child is considered as a burden who is not supposed to work and rather be responsible for the household chores.
Insecurity: Families see child marriage as a way to cope with economic hardship. Girls may marry older men who promise to reunite them with family members who’ve already migrated and/or been displaced. Displacement breaks down protection systems, making girls more vulnerable to child marriage.
Where it happens – Does it happen only in India?
Child marriage is a global issue that cuts across different countries, regions, and cultures.
12 million girls marry before the age of 18 every year.
1 in 5 girls in the world are married before 18
Over 650 women alive today were married as children.
Niger: It has the highest prevalent child marriage rate according to UNICEF, with 76% of girls married before 18. In 2017, the government raised the mandatory school leaver’s age for girls to 16- a significant step in combatting child marriage- but there is still work to be done.
Central African Republic: 4 out of 10 ten girls in Central Africa are married below the age of 18, child marriage prevalence rate being 68%. Overall, there has been a slow decline in child marriage prevalence in the region since 1990 but despite the gradual decrease, the number of child brides is projected to grow due to the growing population.
Chad: It is the third largest country with child marriage prevalence rate being 67%. According to UNICEF, 29% of girls are married before the age of 15. This harmful practice is more common in rural communities, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Girls are more often than not robbed of education and effective participation.
Bangladesh: According to a UN report, Bangladesh has a child marriage prevalence rate of 59%. It is home to 38 million child brides, among which 13 million were married before the age of 15. The national target to end child marriage by 2041 will require a major push.
Child marriage in India – My own country
India has the highest absolute number of women married before the age of 18 in the world. 28% of girls in India are married before 18 and 7% before 15. Child marriage is more prevalent in rural areas than urban areas.Child marriage in India is a consequence of harmful traditional practices, social pressure, poverty, level of education, violence against girls etc. There are persisting legal loopholes that fuel impunity for child marriage. There is also low awareness of the laws and barriers to achieve justice for women.
The minimum legal age of marriage for girls is 18, and 21 for boys. India has a national target to eliminate child marriage by 2030.
How to end it – What can we do?
To end child marriage, first we need to understand the norms, behaviour and reasons for it. By listening to those who are affected by child marriage, making girls the centre of the solution, engaging communities in transforming the negative norms that limit girls’ choices, we can extend gender equality and help girls reach their full potential. Political bodies need to come together and commit to putting human rights standards into action. They need to ensure that all women have access to quality education and reproductive health care.
About the author: Ishita is a Grade 11 student at Delhi Public School and worked on Project Panchhi (human trafficking and gender justice).