Child marriages rising, but brave girls fight back

Dubai - 15 million girls are married as children - that's about one in four girls around the world married under the age of 18.

By Sarwat Nasir

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Published: Thu 23 Mar 2017, 10:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 24 Mar 2017, 12:28 AM

The number of child marriages around the world is on a steady rise due to the growing number of conflicts globally, a humanitarian activist has said.
Lakshmi Sundaram, Executive Director of Girls Not Brides in London, said that every year, 15 million girls are married as children - that's about one in four girls around the world married under the age of 18.
However, the organisation has also pointed out that many brave young girls are starting to speak out and take a stand against these issues, often going door-to-door to educate people about the consequences of child marriage.
Speaking at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference, Lakshmi said that parents feel their daughters will be "safer" if they are married off, unaware of the violence she will potentially endure. The highest number of child brides have been seen in Brazil, Mexico and Thailand, however, they are also common in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. "Child marriage is an issue that transcends countries, religions and cultures. In the last few years, we've been seeing growing evidence that girls in humanitarian crisis situations are especially vulnerable to child marriages," Lakshmi said.
"In Syria, before the war started, the rates of child marriage were about 13 per cent. By 2014, in the Syrian refugee camps in Jordan, they were 30 per cent and I'm sure it's even higher now. We've also heared that this is having a spillover effect in Jordan and Lebanon.
"In Nepal, following the devastating earthquakes in 2015, there's been an increase in child marriage because of insecurity. In Bangladesh, where the population has faced waves and waves of repeated floods, families that are struggling to survive and rebuild their lives, are often turning to child marriage."
She said that there are several factors as to why child marriages are still taking place.
Parents feel that their young daughters will be protected from sexual harassment if they are married at an early age or they'll have less family members to feed, according to Lakshmi. For families in war-torn areas, parents believe that insurgents will not touch their daughters if they are married.
"Families tend to view child marriage as a way of protecting girls. We have to remember that most parents love their children dearly and want what's best for them. In a context where parents are fearful of their daughters facing rape, sexual harassments, unintended pregnancies, they may feel that marrying her off will protect her without realising the huge level of violence that a girl would face within the context of marriage.
"Child marriages have also increased where there's an economic strain on the family. Families feel that marrying their daughter is one way she can get food and it reduces the amount of mouths. There are situations where there's a financial transaction involved in marriage as well, whether that's a dowry or a bride price," Lakshmi said.
Despite the increase in child marriages and social pressure in certain countries, brave girls are taking a stand against it.
Girls Not Brides reported about a teenage girl in southern Bangladesh who travels to different villages to teach elders about the consequences of child marriage and how important it is for young girls to stay in school.
The girl, named Latifa, was almost married off at an age of 12, however, her mother decided against it in the last minute. Her mother was a child bride herself and did not want the same for her daughter.
In another case study by Girls Not Brides, a girl who was married at the age of 14, is trying to prevent her sister from becoming a child bride.
"I am victim of early marriage. When I was 14, I was forced into a marriage as I was considered a burden on the family. My family suggested this marriage [because] the groom didn't ask for dowry. My husband was 35 - double my age," the girl said as quoted by Girls Not Brides.
"During the marriage I had the horrible experience of marital rape. [Unable] to tolerate it anymore, I went back to my parents' home and am living with them again."
"Due to my experience, I decided to be a change-maker. I am determined to continue my education, practise safe sex and not get pregnant before 20. I am also determined to protect my younger sister from early marriage.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com
 


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