Girls Not Brides is a global partnership of more than 550 civil society organisations committed to ending child marriage and enabling girls to fulfil their potential.
The stats are alarming and if you thought child marriage is a problem only in the third world nations, you are not right. From Latin America to South Asia, the problem touches Europe and Middle East cutting across economies, cultures and regions.
The campaign brings global attention to the problem, works with communities to spread awareness and generate discussion from the lowest rung to the top most.
It also brings stories of girls out in the open. Girls who wanted to study, sketch, play, run around with their friends but were married too early. Many couldn’t survive maternity, many were hit by HIV/STDs, many were left uneducated and for all, their dreams died a silent death.
I see the campaign as success when in January this year, Zimbabwe called out child marriage as illegal. However, research tells me, much more needs to be done.
We need to help our children live their dreams. A girl or a boy – a marriage too early makes them adult too soon.
I am blogging from A to Z during April and the theme I have chosen is set on women. I am also a minion on co-host Pam’s Unconventional Alliance along with Claire, Shalini and Rajlakshmi. Visit us, show us some love and don’t leave without sharing your thoughts.
happiness and food 
Child marriage is prevalent in many countries as you rightly mentioned in your blog. Every child has an invisible wing attached to her and she aims to fly high by achieving her goals and everything that she needs and wants to be. But there are certain elements that crop these invisible wings and her dreams are nipped in the bud. Sad but that’s true. People need to learn and change comes only through Education
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Hi,
Here from the A-Z and must say you’ve chosen a very worthwhile topic. I always thought that child marriage was confined to Asia and Africa, and among the diaspora. This was illuminating.
Best wishes for the rest of the challenge,
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
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Parul , so many of us feel so strongly for so many causes. But not too many of us get up and do something about it. your post everyday makes me rethink the idea of ‘ contributing to a cause’ . Through your writing you are voicing your opinions that I hope can reach out and change atleast one mind and make them think differently or help someone act differently.
I look forward to your posts everyday. Big hug for taking up this theme and putting your views with so much strength.
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Chandni – You comment is so encouraging that I am glad I took up this theme. I don’t know if my words are reaching far enough but I am happy on my space I am able to write something that bothers me as a human. Thank you!
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One of the biggest challenges we have is child marriage and immature parents and society still encourages it. With our prime ministers Bheti Bachao Bheti Pado mission things are looking positive. Good point to discuss. Thanks.
Visiting from #AtoZchallenge. Check out my blogs: http://www.consumerpsyche.com & http://www.talktotiger.in
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Child marriage persists across the nation still. It is very sad that our social customs and norms sometimes encourage this rather than stop it.
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A kids dreams and innocence is curbed in the name of this illogical practice called child marriage.It is a sheer inhuman way of snatching the tender carefree days and pushing them into something their body and mind is not prepared for.Wish world becomes a better place for the children to live. Thanks for the info Parul:)
Please drop at:
http://livetolovelifecrazy.blogspot.com/2016/04/ffoodie-in-me-z-challenge-2016.html
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Hi Parul, you’ve changed the look of your blog? I think in India this mal-practice has been cut down significantly. Still a lot needs to be done to improve awareness, give equal employment opportunities for girls and encourage the concept of Girl child. Thanks again for highlighting such a vital issue.
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
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Even an adult struggles in making a marriage successful, then how do poor kids handle the responsibility that comes with tying the knot! I wonder what demon forces the parents to be indulged in this practice. Probably illiteracy!
@Ankifreesoul from
No Agenda Just Life
Million Shades of Life
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I feel very strongly on this issue too, Parul. I’m so glad you have written on this. Child marriage is a human rights violation. Despite laws against it, the practice remains widespread, in part because of persistent poverty and gender inequality! Unless steps are taken to proactively change the course of things, they remain prevalent affecting the health of children who become parents even before their own developmental goals are met. Education, awareness and active involvement of the social groups within which these are prevalent alone will act as a catalyst and change the situation.
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Hi, Glad you wrote about it and it’s not just and Indian issue but many countries face it. It’s high time we create awareness on the issue. Appreciate the amount of hard work done and shown in the graphic.
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I am really enjoying this A to Z and the posts you are writing .. all are something to think about so hats off to you , for bringing all these issues out ..
WE do need to protect our kids and need them to live their LIFE..
Bikram’s
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It’s shocking to see such figures! And it happens all over the world. And it’s all because of you and the thorough research that such issues are voiced and reached to numerous people.
Keep up the good work 🙂
Cheers
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Such figures scare you. The other day I was talking to my maid and she said she got married at the age of 10! She’s from Nepal.
Tina From
The Sunny Side of Life
Twinkling Tina Cooks
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I had no clue that child marriage is prevalent the world over and those stats are heart-breaking 😐
I am so glad that I found your blog through the A to Z challenge.
Loving learning about a new issue and the organizations working for them in your daily posts.
Keep up the wonderful work!
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The figures are shocking and I used to think this was prevalent only in South Asian countries and had been almost abolished.
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The heading
Girls are not brides is enough sound .
Appreciate their work.
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Saddening that such things still exist. Why can’t people change with time.
But because of such behaviour we do need campaigns that can help girls live the life they should be
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Scary figures and sad and tragic reality which should stop immediately!
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I am appalled looking at the fact figures. Such a crime it is to put innocent kids into wedlocks they understand nothing of. Sigh!
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The statics are scary and this practice only continues the oppression of women in these countries. Thank you for highlighting this topic in your A-Z challenge. Happy to have found this blog!
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