It takes a village to end child marriage

Child marriage has long been a heart-breaking practice in areas of rural India. In one remote tribal hamlet in the Andhra Pradesh region, girls as young as 13 were forced to marry, because they were only valued as wives and mothers. Generation after generation, their choices were stolen from them.

“Before, I didn’t think I would ever be able to complete my education,” says Yuvachandhrika, 17.

“Many of my friends were married off young.”

Back in 2018, every single girl in the community was married before adulthood. Tradition was an influence, but it was also a family survival strategy. Illiteracy and gender discrimination contributed to a mindset that marrying off their daughters was the only way to cope with poverty.

Community change starts within

Children Believe’s partner, ROPES, began implementing a child-friendly accountability program with dramatic results. Within a year, child marriage in the community came to an end and there hasn’t been one since. A remarkable victory for gender equality and child rights.

“Now, I am studying to become a teacher,” says Yuvachandhrika. “The change started with our youth group and now we see the difference. No child in our village will marry early again.”

Today her village is recognized as a champion for combatting this illegal tradition.

Groundwork for a societal shift

Earning the trust of the community began with the installation of clean drinking water sources, solar streetlights and constructing concrete roads. It was the groundwork for deeper social change. The introduction of a public bus service also provided safe access to education.

Literacy rates among adults have since improved by 80 percent and education has equipped girls with knowledge, confidence, and the ability to challenge harmful norms. Once resigned to forced early marriage, girls here now have aspirations beyond domestic life.

“I was afraid I might be married off, but now my parents support my education,” says Gangotri, 14. “I want to become a nurse and help my community. The village is different now, we talk about education and health openly, and we’re determined to change things for the better.”

The deadly consequences of early marriage

Before the program the community believed that girls should transition into motherhood as soon as they were married, disregarding the serious risks posed to young girls whose bodies were still developing.

Maternal and infant mortality was running rampant with adolescent mothers facing life-threatening miscarriages and stillbirths. 

Through awareness campaigns and improved health-care services, these outcomes drastically improved. Women now have access to safe birthing practices, family planning education and postnatal care. The community recognizes that delaying marriage and childbirth leads to better lives for both mothers and children.

Venkatamma, a village elder, reflects on the shift in generational attitudes: “I was married at a young age, and I thought that was normal. But now I see how education can change everything. My daughters were married early, but now I am proud to say my grandchildren will have a better future. Education is the key.”