India, in virtue of sheer numbers in population, has the largest child brides numbers worldwide.
But in some areas of India, spurred by the courage engendered through protests against the ill treatment borne by Indian woman, and a recent tv campaign against rape, young women are finding the courage to say 'no' to forced marriage.
One of the surefire ways to avoid being given away as a bride, is to become educated. Once in school, the girls can look to the future with the prospect of finding work, and loosen the shackles that bind them to men.
For the first time in India, young girls are refusing their parent's orders to get married, and instead choose the path of education.
Some of them enlist the help of teachers, to fend off their parents' demands.
In India, almost half of all women marry before the age of majority. Refusals are almost unheard of, and can result in beatings, and even death.
But educators are realizing that by intervening with the families of young girls, and a little persuading and cajoling, they can stave off the inevitable and empower these girls to achieve something and have a better life.
Of course the trend is in its nascent stage. But if it is publicized and taken up by a celebrity, it could easily spread.
The originators of the project were the people in the Pehchan project, also the subject of a recent documentary. The center targets young girls who are most at risk of abuse or a marriage arranged too early. The group also counsels the families.
To date, more than 5,000 children have benefited from the program. These programs, like any education program in India are essential in ending child and arranged marriages.
See the video below on the school project:
Source : NBC news/ 10.11.13
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