Empowering Girls Beyond Child Marriage: Listening to Their Dreams and Fears
- Purnima Jha
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Imagine you are again in 9th standard and given the question: “What Do You Think Your Life Will Look Like If You Are Married Off Before 18 or After You Turn 18? Draw it on a piece of paper, and you can use all the colours you want.”
What would you draw? Perhaps a picture of yourself as the person you are today or the future you dream of. Right?
What the Drawings Revealed
When we did this activity with adolescent girls, what we saw was hard to take in. Some sketches were full of hope. Girls drew pictures of themselves as teachers, doctors, nurses, or artists. But some drawings were more sombre. Girls quietly drew images of sad faces, veils, wedding ceremonies, children in their arms, and mouths shut tight. One girl whispered, “Hamari toh shaadi ho jayegi jaldi” (We will be married off soon).
The Reality of Child Marriage in India
These were not just drawings for fun. These are a reflection of a harsh reality many adolescents still face, particularly in rural areas. While many of us talk about empowering our daughters, too many are still married off at ages as young as 12 in Bihar.
Society often asks, “What’s the point of educating a girl?” instead of questioning, “How far can she go if given the chance?” And we all know the answer—girls can achieve incredible things when given the right opportunities.
But early marriage doesn’t stop at education. It often leads to teenage pregnancy. A young girl, barely in her teens and encountering menstruation and puberty, is expected to become a mother when her body is not ready.
Education Interrupted Too Early
The numbers speak volumes. According to the National Family Health Survey data (2019-21), 22.3% of girls in India were married before turning 18, and 6.8% experienced teenage pregnancies[1]. Additionally, the Ministry of State for Education reports that, in 2020-21, the dropout rate for girls at the secondary level (Class 9-10) was 13.7% [2].
Early marriage and teenage pregnancies rob girls of freedom, health, and dreams. These young girls face severe health complications like maternal and child mortality, malnutrition, anaemia, and hormonal imbalances. Many also experience mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, which often go unspoken. The absence of female doctors and appropriate healthcare facilities further prevents them from seeking help, leaving them isolated, confused, and uninformed.
Why Early Marriage Persists
But why does this happen? In many communities, poverty drives child marriage. Families struggling to meet daily needs often see early marriage as a way to ease their burdens. Gender norms frequently portray girls as “burdens,” and marrying them off is seen as a way to reduce that responsibility. Many communities view marriage as a girl’s ultimate goal, often valuing her for becoming a wife and mother—sooner rather than later. Parents also worry about their daughters’ safety, fearing harassment or societal judgment. They believe that marriage will offer protection.
However, this choice, often made out of hardship and not necessarily neglect, strips girls of their future. It keeps them trapped in poverty and keeps the cycle of malnutrition and inequality going.
Breaking the Cycle Through Empowerment
The solutions may not be easy, but they are possible, and it all starts with us. It begins with awareness. At ZealGrit, we conduct activity-led sessions with girls in schools, providing them with a safe, non-judgmental space to express themselves. In these sessions, girls share their dreams, fears, challenges, and enablers, often discussing sensitive topics that are rarely heard or talked about. We also engage with schools, parents, and communities to talk openly about early marriage, teenage pregnancy, reproductive and adolescent health.
Why so much effort? At ZealGrit, we believe that empowering girls isn’t just about saving them from early marriage; it is about giving them the tools to shape their futures and sensitise their ecosystem. It’s about ensuring they can dream, learn, and thrive, regardless of their circumstances. We are also aware that the solution isn’t just about girls; we will soon begin engaging with adolescent boys as well.
But we can’t do this alone. If you believe in this cause, support us. Share our work on social media or visit our donation page. Together, we can create a world where no child has to choose between survival and a future full of opportunities.
