Child brides of India: Pooja’s story
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Pooja:
I was married when I was 13 years old.
Although I refused this marriage proposal, my parents did not accept it.
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Pooja:
I was beaten up by my father continuously for three days to make me accept it.
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Pooja:
I have faced many struggles in my husband’s home.
I used to be beaten up by him daily, and I was in so much pain.
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Pooja:
My parents never interfered in my family life.
I had to stay with my husband.
I did not know what to do in this situation.
I lost hope in life and attempted suicide three times.
The first time, I tried to hang from a ceiling fan.
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Pooja:
My husband saw this and rescued me.
The second time, I swallowed sleeping pills.
The third time, I cut my hand with a blade.
My nerves were cut and my hand was bleeding heavily.
I realized that I have to live for my children.
I took a strong decision that I should not die.
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Pooja:
Why are girls treated as inferior to boys?
Many of them feel sad for having a girl child.
Some hate a girl child. Is it wrong to be born as a girl?
Why are there early forced marriages?
When will we recognize the girl child?
Why don’t we ask her whether a girl wants to study or get a job?
Parents who force their child to marry should be punished.
Parents should be aware that their children should be educated.
They should stand on their own and get a good job.
Until that time children should not be made to marry.
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