An agonizing ache sinks my heart to my stomach.
My reality hit me like a world-wind of thoughts ravaging at my filthy conscience.
I raced to the rear window of the car escorting me from my paternal home watching the only life I
knew grow apart from me.
A man i was yet to share a word with but posed as my husband sat beside me with intent impure as
the objective for which I was sold off to him.
I am not safe.
Mother do you hear me? He tried to undo the veil you so gently placed upon my head
Brother do you hear me? You swore to protect me but his nails traced bruises on my body
Father do you hear me? They talk of furthering their legacy but im still your little girl.
Sister do you hear me? Run. Run before the dhall overboils and we need to visit the market. Run
before you too are sold at a price determined by a lusty man alike my husband.
This scene I’ve described to you is an insight into the mind of every little girl who was forced into an
arranged marriage. Child marriage is a practice that still continues globally and its form can vary
from culture to culture. There are three phases to the early marriage decision making process:
initiation, negotiation and final decision -making.
Women are often seen as a liability with a limited economic role to play. Women’s work is, in these
cases, confined to the household and not seen as of much value. This stereotype is the driving force
excelling the practice of forced marriages as it is usually the girls and women who face the more
detrimental effects.
In some communities women are thought of as an economical burden and these forced marriages
serve as mechanisms that are quick income earners. A girl is seen as a leeway to a large dowry to be
given to her family upon her marriage. Dowry has been prohibited for the last 5 decades but it is still
common for parents of girls in india to give gifts to the groom and/or his family which may present
itself in the form of cash. The dowry amount provided by the girl’s family increases with age of the
girl and the level of education completed by the girl. The incentive of the system of dowry
encourages child marriage.
Poor families are tempted to sell their daughters not just into marriage but also into prostitution so
that the family may benefit at the girl’s expense.
Child marriages are encouraged by the society shared. Child marriages are more prevalent in more
rural areas and among castes and tribes.
Statutory rape is a crime but in some states in America, if the victim marries the perpetrator the
charges cease to be
Child marriage is both a cause and consequence of adolescent pregnancy: 90% of adolescent births
in the developing world are to girls who are already married or in a union
Child marriage is a driver of early pregnancy; in others – particularly where intercourse outside of
marriage is taboo –unintended pregnancy drives child marriage.
My reality hit me like a world-wind of thoughts ravaging at my filthy conscience.
I raced to the rear window of the car escorting me from my paternal home watching the only life I
knew grow apart from me.
A man i was yet to share a word with but posed as my husband sat beside me with intent impure as
the objective for which I was sold off to him.
I am not safe.
Mother do you hear me? He tried to undo the veil you so gently placed upon my head
Brother do you hear me? You swore to protect me but his nails traced bruises on my body
Father do you hear me? They talk of furthering their legacy but im still your little girl.
Sister do you hear me? Run. Run before the dhall overboils and we need to visit the market. Run
before you too are sold at a price determined by a lusty man alike my husband.
This scene I’ve described to you is an insight into the mind of every little girl who was forced into an
arranged marriage. Child marriage is a practice that still continues globally and its form can vary
from culture to culture. There are three phases to the early marriage decision making process:
initiation, negotiation and final decision -making.
Women are often seen as a liability with a limited economic role to play. Women’s work is, in these
cases, confined to the household and not seen as of much value. This stereotype is the driving force
excelling the practice of forced marriages as it is usually the girls and women who face the more
detrimental effects.
In some communities women are thought of as an economical burden and these forced marriages
serve as mechanisms that are quick income earners. A girl is seen as a leeway to a large dowry to be
given to her family upon her marriage. Dowry has been prohibited for the last 5 decades but it is still
common for parents of girls in india to give gifts to the groom and/or his family which may present
itself in the form of cash. The dowry amount provided by the girl’s family increases with age of the
girl and the level of education completed by the girl. The incentive of the system of dowry
encourages child marriage.
Poor families are tempted to sell their daughters not just into marriage but also into prostitution so
that the family may benefit at the girl’s expense.
Child marriages are encouraged by the society shared. Child marriages are more prevalent in more
rural areas and among castes and tribes.
Statutory rape is a crime but in some states in America, if the victim marries the perpetrator the
charges cease to be
Child marriage is both a cause and consequence of adolescent pregnancy: 90% of adolescent births
in the developing world are to girls who are already married or in a union
Child marriage is a driver of early pregnancy; in others – particularly where intercourse outside of
marriage is taboo –unintended pregnancy drives child marriage.
