Child marriage - a curse

I started watching a serial called “Balika Vadhu” on colors recently. It’s like a cool wave of fresh air as it brings respite from the conventional “saas bahu” serials. Besides breaking the monotony of serials showing scheming women, it highlights the still prevalent evil practice of child marriage in India, especially rural India. This serial has portrayed the serious subject of the various problems a girl faces when she is married in her teenage in a very mature and entertaining way. A girl of 12 years of age, who is more interested in playing hide and seek, is suddenly expected to behave like a grown up married woman. She is restricted from participating in many activities because she is the daughter-in-law of the house. She is not allowed to continue her studies. She is under the constant vigilance of an authoritative grandmother whose commands everyone has to obey. She misses her parents, her village and her friends but is helplessly bound to her new family now. The serial shows how a carefree, naïve and immature girl is trying to adjust to the unquestionable and stern ways of her in-laws house. Written and scripted by Purnendu Shekhar, Balika Vadhu has a message at the end of every episode to discourage the practice of child marriage across the country.

Whenever I watch this serial, I always question the modernity and growth of our country. Has our country really developed? Does development only means building sky scrapers in metropolitan cities? Has our country been able to break free from the horrendous traditions of child marriage, sati, dowry etc? Though these practices are something which urban India may not relate to but they are still very much prevalent in rural and tribal parts of India. The primary reason for this is ignorance. These belts of tribal and rural areas are still living in the 18th century due to lack of education and awareness. Unfortunately, girl children have to bear the brunt of this. Many parents try to validate this gruesome act of child marriage by giving numerous cultural, traditional, religious and economical reasons. Poverty is the biggest culprit which engulfs the life of a girl child. Girls are either seen as an economic burden or valued as capital for their exchange value in terms of goods or money. Many parents tend to curtail the education of their girls and marry them off, due to fear of the high level of physical violence and abuse encountered en route to, and even at, school.

Child marriage limits young girls’ skills, resources, knowledge, social support, mobility and autonomy. Young married girls have little power in relation to their husbands and in-laws. They are therefore extremely vulnerable to domestic violence, abuse and abandonment. Violence may include physical, sexual or psychological abuse. It is one of the most persistent forms of sanctioned sexual abuse of girls and young women. The young age of child brides, their limited power in decision making and reduced economic opportunities compound their vulnerability to multiple health risks. These girls are also more likely to be infected by HIV.

Though people like Raja Rammohun Rai have tried to bring about reforms in the society since early 19th century, still such practices continue to daunt the lives of young girls. It’s time that we all realize our responsibility towards such helpless girls and try to educate at least one person in our life time. If we all pledge to educate at least one person, it would definitely help in transforming many lives.