Prevention of Child Marriage Program

One third of girls in the developing world are married off before the age of 18, and 1 out of 9 are married off before they are 15. In 2012, 70 million women between the ages of 20-24 had been married before the age of 18. India is ranked 13 with 47% of girls married before they turn 18.

UNICEF defines child marriage as marriage before 18 years of age and considers this a human rights violation. Child marriages pose socio-economic and physical implications on young couples, especially the girls. In North Karnataka, 58% of girls were married before 18.

Child Marriage Prevention was initiated in 400 villages of Jharkhand and Odisha. It brought behavioural changes in rural communities. The program addressed issues of health, sexual rights and awareness on laws. Over 22,000 adolescents and their communities were sensitized and made commitments to stop child marriages.

A similar project will be implemented in 60 villages of North Karnataka. 2 clubs with 25 adolescents will be formed per village. 6 Change Agents per village will be trained on aspects of Sexual/Reproductive Health Rights and legal recourses to prevent violation. The Change Agents will facilitate behavioural changes in the youth and their communities.

3,000 boys and girls, in Youth Clubs, will be aware of evils of Child Marriages and vow to prevent them. They will be advocates of change in their villages.

Community Watch Groups made up of adults and youth will be formed in 60 villages. They will interact with the children and youth in the village on a regular basis and play a proactive role in preventing Child Marriages. They will act as duty bearers for the affected children/youth and take up cases for prosecution of the perpetrator.

There will be improved access to education, narrowing the gender gaps in education.