CHILD MARRIAGE

                     

Child marriage is defined as a marriage of a girl or a boy before the age of 18. Such marriage violates basic rights of children. It can also lead to violence, exploitation, and abuse.

Child marriage may take place because of social or economic norms and conditions.They may have negative consequences like adverse health deterioration, early pregnancy and childbirth.

Causes of child marriage probably are poverty, dowry requirement, property acquisition, religious norms..etc. Child marriage are more prevalent in developing countries. Many parts of Africa, South Asia, Latin America and Oceania still allow child marriage.

ORIGIN OF CHILD MARRIAGE

Researchers have found out that the origin of child marriages in India began with the Muslim Invasions which began more than 1000 years ago. To prevent their Hindu daughters from Muslim rulers and landlords, people married off their girls at an early age.

Eventually, it spread all over the world before the 19th century. Child marriage was common in the period of Delhi Sultanate.They exercised absolute monarchy power during their rule and practiced child marriage and lowered the status of women even further.

REASONS FOR CHILD MARRIAGE

The major reason for child marriages may be the poverty of the family, where marriage can bring many economic opportunities.

Parents get their daughters married to make a better future for them.

Property acquisition can also be a reason.

Some parents gave their daughters in marriage at an early age to protect her from assaults of other men.

PREVENTION OR SOLUTION

Below are some steps to prevent child marriag

1. Educate and empower girls with required information, skills and supportive helplines.

2. Educate the parents of young children and the society.

3. Provide high quality education for women to be bold enough to oppose child marriage.

4. Strengthen the laws and government policies against child marriage.

5. Provide equal education to both male and female children.

ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP

There are many organizations that support and offer help to children to prevent child marriage.

Some of them are 

1.UNICEF - United Nations Children's Emergency Fund.

2.CARE - International humanitarian organisation

3. HUMANIUM- International Child Sponsorship NGO

These are some examples.

ACTS AGAINST CHILD MARRIAGE

1. The Child Marriage Restraint Act - 1929

2. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act -2006

CONSEQUENCES OF CHILD MARRIAGE

Child marriage can result in

      

1. Unwanted pregnancy

      2.   Pregnancy Termination or Abortion

3. Miscarriage

4. Still Birth

5. Early Maternal Deaths

6. Fragile infant

HOW TO CREATE AWARENESS AGAINST CHILD MARRIAGE?

Creating a campaign or awareness programme on the consequences of child marriages, especially in rural and less civilized villages can be helpful in reducing child marriages.

The constant efforts of the non-governmental organisations for reducing child marriages has also been helpful. Many non-governmental and nonprofit organizations can come forward to educate people about the consequences of child marriages.

New Government Acts and Policies prohibiting child marriages can also reduce child marriage.

So, let us all join together to put a complete end to child marriage and save the future of the younger generation from such uncivilized practices!