I Want to Create Child Marriage Free Villages

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I Want to Create Child Marriage Free Villages

• In Indias southern state of Telangana, close to
  27 per cent of girls get married between the ages
  of 15 and 19. A vast majority of these marriages
  take place in rural areas, predominantly among
  the most socially and economically disadvantaged
  communities.
•  
• This situation is all too familiar to 18-year-old
  Ragini who has seen many teenage girls in her
  area being forced into child and early marriage
  by their parents. Ragini, however, is determined
  that she wont keep quiet and will do something
  about it.
•  
• My father abandoned me soon after I was born. He
  wanted a boy. He didnt want to take up the
  responsibility of raising a girl child. Barely
  able to make ends meet, he couldnt face the
  prospect of any more hardship to raise money for
  my dowry in the future. He left my mother and I
  was brought up by her and my grandmother.
• My birth was a result of arranged marriage
  between my parents. My mother was barely 18. She
  didnt have any say in her own marriage that so
  dramatically changed her life.

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• I have grown up witnessing the extreme suffering
  my mother has endured in raising me all by
  herself particularly in a society that places
  even less value on a woman abandoned by her
  husband. She works very hard as a manual labourer
  to earn just about enough for us to survive.
• Her daily struggles serve as a strong reminder to
  me as to why girls should never be forced into
  marriage and why they must be given an education
  to stand on their own two feet.
• When I was in class 8, I became aware that my
  friend and classmate was getting married her
  parents arranged it for her. I was shocked and
  deeply upset for her. I reported the matter to my
  teachers who met with the girls parents but to
  no avail. The parents were adamant and strongly
  resisted anyone interfering into their private
  affair.
• My teachers backed off, but I wasnt prepared to
  let this injustice happen to my friend who was
  just a child. I mobilised about 10 girls in my
  class and reported the matter to the local
  authorities. With their intervention the child
  marriage was stopped. It made me realise that if
  girls raise their voice, things can change.

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• A year ago, I became part of Plan India Girls
  Advocacy Alliance project thats working to end
  child marriage in my district and is empowering
  girls to realise their rights.
• Being part of a movement that involves many other
  girls like me has boosted my confidence and
  strengthened my resolve to make a difference. I
  have learnt how I can advocate for girls rights,
  mobilise girls to stand up for themselves and
  influence those who can make things better for
  them.
• With the knowledge and skills I have gained, I
  have now taken on the challenge to make as many
  villages child marriage free as possible. I speak
  to religious and community leaders, hold meetings
  with local government officials and regularly
  motivate girls and their parents to put an end to
  child marriage. Only when the society starts
  valuing girls equally to boys, real change will
  happen.

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• Its not easy to convince people to change their
  mindset. It takes a lot of effort. I am used to
  facing resistance from parents and community
  elders, but I dont shy away from speaking my
  mind. If necessary, I remind them its illegal to
  get their daughters married off if they are under
  18.
• On the other hand, I tell girls about the help
  they can access if they are ever in that
  situation. They can call the helpline or even go
  the police. I strongly feel that people
  responsible for child marriage must not go
  unpunished. Slowly, the change is happening. It
  will take time, and I am not expecting miracles
  overnight.
• I have completed my A levels and want to pursue a
  degree in commerce. I want to be a civil servant
  and pull myself and my mother out of poverty.
  Recently, my father made contact with us and
  visits us occasionally. Despite the extreme
  challenges of the past, I want to keep looking
  ahead.
• Girls tell me that they feel inspired by me and
  think of me as a leader. I do feel proud of
  myself that despite all my personal struggles I
  never feel hopeless and beaten. On the contrary,
  I feel there is so much more I can achieve.

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• https//www.planindia.org/