Girls’ consent in marriage must be ensured

IN a recent study conducted by a non-governmental organisation, alarming findings have shed light on the dire consequences of child marriage practices in many societies.

The research, which involved 246 girls and 106 parents, exposed a grim reality: Only 20 per cent of girls who were married off at an early age managed to continue their education after marriage.

Shockingly, around 90 per cent of these girls were attending school when their families decided to arrange their marriages.

The study underscored a significant issue: The absence of genuine consent and the protection of the best interests of the girls involved in these marriages. A staggering 56 per cent of the participants believed that consent should mean freely expressing their opinions about marriage.

However, a concerning 36 per cent viewed consent as a means of making their parents happy, and a troubling 5 per cent even considered silence to be a form of consent.

What’s more, a substantial 52 per cent of these marriages were not registered.

This lack of registration was attributed to the societal perception of child marriage as a criminal act, the general non-practice of marriage registration, and the unwillingness of the grooms’ families to formalise the unions.

This revelation highlights a widespread ignorance regarding girls’ right to give consent when it comes to their own marriage.

Education is a powerful tool for empowering girls to understand their rights and assert their opinions, especially when it means rejecting questionable social norms.

The study also brought to light the socioeconomic factors driving parents to opt for early marriages for their daughters.

Many fear that their children will face various forms of harassment if they don’t comply with these traditional practices.

However, such decisions strip girls of their right to choose their own life paths.

Creating a gender-neutral society requires more than just gender-blind laws; it demands a comprehensive impact analysis. Unfortunately, deeply ingrained social norms often override and challenge legal procedures.

To address this crisis, voluntary efforts, leadership, and equipping girls with basic skills are essential.

The onus lies on the state, businesses, and non-governmental organisations to invest in girls’ education, skill development, and communication engagement.

Despite significant progress in various aspects of social development, gender parity remains elusive and must be urgently tackled.

In conclusion, the findings of this study are a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat child marriage practices and empower girls to take control of their lives.

It is only through a concerted effort from all sectors of society that we can hope to achieve true gender equality.