child marriage case study
Every girl has the right to decide if, when and when they will marry. But, globally, more than 41,000 girls are compelled into child marriage each day. The early, forced and child marriage is a complicated global issue that affects both males as well as girls. However, it is particularly affecting more girls. 82% of children who marry before the age of 18 are girls. Child marriage takes away girls from their innocence, and often force them to abandon school, and expose them to violence – both sexual emotional, physical and physical – and putting them in situations that their minds and bodies are not prepared to, such as motherhood.
Even though it’s prohibited by international law, child-marriage continues to be practiced in many countries across the globe and, often, in areas of extreme poverty. Stopping this practice isn’t an easy task, but it is possible to change the situation when we come together. In collaboration with young people and parents, community leaders and government officials we can alter the narrative and stop this sham practice. we’re here to help you grow stronger mentally and emotionally. five strategies Plan International is working to stop child marriage and to end it in the communities in which we operate.Â
solution of child marriage
- Educating girls
Education plays an important role in ensuring girls are safe from marriage to children. In reality as long as a woman remains in school more likely she will be married prior to the age of 18 and to have children in her teens. Furthermore, education helps girls develop the necessary skills and know-how to be able to find work and an opportunity to provide for their families. This could help to break the vicious cycle of poverty, and stop child marriages that happen due to extreme poverty or money gain. Learn more about how education can protect girls from marriage
- Empowering girls
Every girl has the power to choose her own destiny However, not every girl realizes this. This is why girls’ empowerment is important to stop child marriage. If girls feel confident about their capabilities as well as aware of their rights and surrounded by groups of peers made up of empowered girls, they’re empowered to speak up and declare “NO” to injustices like child marriage. Girls who are empowered can change their perspectives and challenge the conventional expectations of what it is to be a woman.
- Gathering the community at large to defend the rights of girls
Leaders of the community and parents are typically responsible for deciding the date and time a girl is married. In some traditional communities the belief is that marriage protects girls and protected, as well as economically cared for by their spouses. But, the reverse is the truth – marriage threatens girls’ mental and physical health. Girls who marry before the age of the age of 18 are more likely suffer domestic abuse and claim the fact that their initial sexual encounter was a result of forced sexual contact. In addition, child brides are more prone to HIV infection and are more likely to suffer fatal problems during the pregnancy process and birth. When community leaders and parents are informed about the numerous negative effects associated with child-marriage, this may motivate them to reconsider their opinions, stand up on behalf of girls’ rights, and motivate others to do the same.
Within the west region of Dominican Republic, where dreams are often held back by challenges and limits, two teenage girls, Yuneiris and Yolenny, are determined to alter their lives. “When we change ourselves, we change the world around us,” they assert with confidence.
- Offering family members and children with opportunities to earn income
Giving families the opportunity to live a better life such as microfinance loans can be an effective method to stop child marriages that happen due to financial hardship. When families have more opportunities for economic growth and opportunities, they are less likely to think of their daughters as financial burdens. This is especially true when the girl is enrolled in school and learning valuable skills that can create an income in the near future.
- Government petitions and encouraging supportive laws
In countries where child-marriage is commonplace, petitioning the for the government to increase the age at which marriage is permitted to 18 years old is the first step to positive changes. After the minimum age is raised, it is essential to keep raising awareness about the laws to the community and government officials to ensure that the law is implemented. Other laws like the registration of birth certificates as well as marriage certificates are effective tools for the prevention of child marriage.
There is a deadline for girls who are at risk
Within the space of time that it was to read this story the story of 80 girls who were made to marry children. Every second advancements made in defending girls’ right to oppose weddings for children is now being eroded because of the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. We now face the fact of more young girls being forced to end up becoming child brides because of the epidemic. It is time to stop the clock and end the setback to ensure that girls have the power to choose their own destiny. Find out more about COVID-19 and how it sets back progress for girls.