Child marriage affects ten million girls under the age of eighteen each year. However, some regions of the world have it much worse then others. South Asia is one of the top contenders; it's countries percentages soar above others. South Asian countries refuse to address the illegal practices taking place in rural areas and because of this, it is projected that by 2030, 130 million girls will be married against their will in South Asia. What is so bad about child marriage? It is not only illegal, but girls, between the ages of twelve and 16 are married to men who are sometimes decades older. The men are known for raping, beating and emotionally destroying the bodies and minds of the girls. In addition, child marriage prevents the girls from receiving proper education and creates a life of extreme poverty. Child marriage started out as a tradition with the mentality that it would prevent young girls from being sexually assaulted by strangers. It has since backfired because these husbands are doing the exact same thing, if not worse .
While slightly difficult to see, the table shows the amount of child brides in thousands. India is the first at 10,063,000 child brides. Bangladesh is then second with 2,359,000 child brides. Both countries are part of South Asia. Statistics show that half of the child marriages in the world are from South Asia.
In the following website, you will learn all about the effects of child marriage.
Specifically, the lack of education that the girls receive after they are married off. Instead of going to school and creating a future for themselves, they need to stay home and take care of their children.
There are also many emotional effects ranging from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to not trusting anyone after being abused and feeling abandoned and forgotten after being widowed.
There are also physical effects of child marriage, women are beaten, limbs are broken, women contract diseases and many go through abortions. The underdeveloped bodies of the girls are often tested to the max and in many cases, the young girls bodies can't handle childbirth.
There are recent stories of innocent young girls, who just a year ago were playing with friends and living life as a child that are now married, taking care of children and being sexually and verbally harassed. In some cases, the bride's family members are also targeted.
The last section of the website covers the poverty that is the reason for child marriage and the main reason the cycle continues. Children are married off early so the family can receive the dowry, or gift from the husband's family. Then, the women cannot get jobs because they have children to take care of and no education. Women cannot pay for medical bills if they get sick or injured, and after they are widowed they are poor and skill-less, useless to society.
Specifically, the lack of education that the girls receive after they are married off. Instead of going to school and creating a future for themselves, they need to stay home and take care of their children.
There are also many emotional effects ranging from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to not trusting anyone after being abused and feeling abandoned and forgotten after being widowed.
There are also physical effects of child marriage, women are beaten, limbs are broken, women contract diseases and many go through abortions. The underdeveloped bodies of the girls are often tested to the max and in many cases, the young girls bodies can't handle childbirth.
There are recent stories of innocent young girls, who just a year ago were playing with friends and living life as a child that are now married, taking care of children and being sexually and verbally harassed. In some cases, the bride's family members are also targeted.
The last section of the website covers the poverty that is the reason for child marriage and the main reason the cycle continues. Children are married off early so the family can receive the dowry, or gift from the husband's family. Then, the women cannot get jobs because they have children to take care of and no education. Women cannot pay for medical bills if they get sick or injured, and after they are widowed they are poor and skill-less, useless to society.
Our goal is to raise an awareness of the consequences of child marriage in South Asia, which is one of the leading causes of deaths. Parents lack the acknowledgement of their daughters being just children, and not mature enough to be considered brides.
What is being Done?
While it is very hard to stop a tradition that has been going on for hundreds of years, there are many organizations that have been trying to raise awareness of the dangerous effects. However, the website, Girls Not Brides wrote, "International human rights bodies have clearly condemned child marriage and governments have a legal obligation to eliminate it. Just two weeks ago, more than 100 countries co-sponsored a historic resolution from the United Nations Human Rights Council to end the practice—yet every South Asian country, with the exception of Maldives where the incidence is the lowest, has remained silent."
Unless these South Asian countries start enforcing the law, child marriage can not get better. Without the cooperation of the government, these young girls who have no voice in society will continue to suffer.
Unless these South Asian countries start enforcing the law, child marriage can not get better. Without the cooperation of the government, these young girls who have no voice in society will continue to suffer.