Child Marriages Rob Girls of Health, Education and Jobs
by Sangeeta Haindl
While many brides are preparing for their big day, there are some weddings that should not be going ahead, and that’s child marriages. No girl should be robbed of her childhood, education, health and aspirations, yet millions are denied their rights each year when they are married as child brides. Now a 13 year-old girl in India has written a letter begging her head teacher to save her from becoming a child bride, putting this issue in the spotlight. Duli Hembrom (named by Indian media), failed to convince her parents against the match and turned to her school. Duli’s wedding was set for 22 April in the town of Jamshedpur. At the time of posting this story it is unknown if Duli’s marriage did take place after the letter came to light and there has been no further update reported by the Indian media.
Between 2011 and 2020, more than 140 million girls will become child brides, according to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). If current levels of child marriages hold, 14.2 million girls annually or 39, 000 daily will marry too young. Of the 140 million girls who will marry before they are 18 years, 50 million will be under the age of 15. Little progress has been made toward ending the practice of child marriage, which is defined as marriage before the age of 18 (it applies to both boys and girls).
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Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Sangeeta Haindl writes on women and children; social innovation; social enterprise and social entrepreneurs. She is the owner of Serendipity PR, in London, U.K., where she works with high-profile brands and organizations in the public, non-profit, and corporate sectors, winning awards for her work from the communications industry. She describes herself as a Spiritual Entrepreneur, Conscious Explorer, and Futurist. She enjoys helping others, paying it forward, and being a mum.
