“Marriage isn’t a choice here. It is an inevitability. People don’t let you work after you get married, and if you don’t get married, you can’t do anything.” – Nisha, survivor of forced child marriage
The Hindu’s Frontline shares Nisha’s story from being a forced child bride to becoming a teacher, when education was what saved her in the first place.
Nisha saved herself
Married at just ten to a twelve-year-old boy, Nisha’s early life vividly highlights the harsh realities of child marriage in her small village of Kotdi, India. She fondly remembers her wedding day, feeling like a “little doll,” celebrated and adored by everyone. But the charm quickly faded as she returned to her routine—grazing goats by day and attending night school, a rare chance for a girl in her situation to glimpse a broader world.
This glimpse into a world of possibilities was almost snatched away when, at fourteen, her in-laws demanded she move in with her husband according to tradition, whom she hadn’t seen since their wedding day. Suddenly, Nisha faced losing her education to fulfill heavy household duties as a young wife. But she wasn’t ready to let go of her dreams. With her mother’s quiet support, she made a brave choice. So, the young girl decided to fight for her right to education and her own future, ultimately securing a divorce.
Consequences of forced child marriage
“Everything is decided by the elders; no one cares about your intentions, what you like, what you want, whether you are actually fit for marriage.” – Nisha
Forced child marriage, as experienced by Nisha, not only cuts short a girl’s education but also exposes her to severe risks of abuse and exploitation, often stalling her potential and trapping her in a cycle of poverty. Whilst not all child marriages are forced, the inherent vulnerability of children, particularly girls, makes them susceptible to coercion.
Nisha’s story underscores the urgent need for global action to raise the minimum age of marriage thereby adding a layer of legal protection from this form of modern slavery. Right now world leaders, government officials, and civil society can make ending forced marriage a priority. Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 has put ending forced marriage on the global agenda and with our support for this goal, we can help change the lives of girls like Nisha for the better.
Sign the pledge to end child marriage globally, and join the movement today.
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