Inside India’s Persistent Child Marriage Crisis

Summary

The script narrates the story of Archana Sahay, who co-founded Aarambh in Bhopal, India, to address child exploitation and education. Initially focusing on ragpickers and street children, Aarambh expanded to combat child marriage, leveraging the Childline 1098 helpline. Despite cultural traditions and legal challenges, Aarambh has successfully prevented numerous underage marriages. The COVID-19 pandemic saw a surge in cases, highlighting the need for continued advocacy. Archana's personal journey, from social work in the aftermath of Bhopal's gas tragedy to her current fight against child marriage, underscores her dedication to children's rights.

Takeaways

• 📝 Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, has a significant middle-class population and many migrants from villages.
• 📚 The city has numerous slum areas, with around 300 to 400 slum pockets.
• 📞 The speaker and her husband Anup founded the organization Aarambh in Bhopal in 1992.
• 📚 Aarambh initially focused on small projects and informal education for children, particularly ragpickers.
• 📞 The organization runs various projects, including the government of India's Child Helpline project, which has a special number 1098.
• 📚 Child Helpline aims to protect children from exploitation and abuse, including child marriage.
• 📞 Child marriage was not a focus area initially, but it has become more prominent due to increased reporting.
• 📚 Aarambh intervenes in child marriages by educating families and, if necessary, involving the police to prevent underage marriages.
• 📞 There was a significant increase in child marriage cases reported to 1098 after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 📚 The fear of raising the marriage age from 18 to 21 for girls, as discussed by the government, has led to a surge in child marriages.
• 📞 The speaker's personal background in social work and her experiences during the Bhopal gas tragedy have motivated her to work for the welfare of children.
• 📚 The speaker emphasizes the importance of education and the prevention of child marriage for the future well-being of girls.
• 📞 The speaker's husband has been a supportive figure, encouraging her to stand on her own and fight for her beliefs.

Q & A

What is the significance of Bhopal in the context of Madhya Pradesh?

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh, which is located in the central part of India.

What demographic makeup does Bhopal have according to the script?

Bhopal has a majority of middle-class families and many people migrating from villages.

What is the role of Aarambh, the organization started by the speaker and her husband?

Aarambh is an organization that started with small projects, focusing on children, particularly ragpickers, and has since expanded to run various projects including a child helpline.

What is the purpose of the child helpline mentioned in the script?

The child helpline, with the special number 1098, is a government of India project aimed at protecting children who have been exploited or abused.

Why was child marriage not a focus area for Aarambh initially?

Child marriage was not a focus area for Aarambh initially because they hardly received any calls reporting it, and people were not reporting such cases.

How does Aarambh intervene when they become aware of child marriages?

Aarambh intervenes by talking to the families, making them aware of the legal age for marriage, and if the family agrees, they take them to the police station to document their commitment not to marry off their children before the legal age.

What was the trend of child marriage cases reported to the helpline before and during the Covid-19 pandemic?

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2017-18, there were around 27 cases, and in 2019-20, during the pandemic, there were around 34 or 35 cases. However, in 2020-21, the number suddenly increased to 54 cases.

What are some reasons for the increase in child marriage cases as mentioned in the script?

Some reasons include the government's consideration to raise the marriage age for girls from 18 to 21, families with multiple girls, loss of the family head, and the desire to marry off girls with minimal expenses.

How does the speaker describe the challenge of law enforcement regarding child marriage in India?

The speaker describes the challenge as the tension between progressive laws and the traditional beliefs in Indian society that support early marriages, making law enforcement difficult.

What is the impact of public education programs and NGOs like Aarambh on child marriage?

Public education programs and NGOs like Aarambh have a preventive effect, potentially stopping many more child marriages than the ones they directly intervene in, by creating awareness and changing social norms.

What personal experiences motivated the speaker to dedicate her life to social work?

The speaker was motivated by her upbringing in Bhopal, her education in a convent school where her teachers involved her in social work, and her experience as a social work student during the Bhopal gas tragedy, where she helped affected families and orphaned children.

What are the long-term implications of child marriage that the speaker is concerned about?

The speaker is concerned about health issues and economical issues that arise from child marriages, and the impact on the girl's future, emphasizing that the intervention is not just about stopping the marriage but also about the well-being of the girl post-marriage.

How does the speaker describe the feeling of success in her work with children?

The speaker finds success and satisfaction in her work when she sees the children doing well, when they call her back to share their successes, and when they remember her positively.

What challenges did the speaker face as a woman standing up for her cause?

The speaker faced challenges as a woman trying to make her own position in a world dominated by men, but she was supported by her husband and motivated by her father's advice to fight for her cause.

Outlines

00:00

🏙️ Bhopal's Aarambh Organization and Child Marriage

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh, India, with a majority of middle-class families and migrants from villages. The city has numerous slum areas. The speaker and her husband Anup founded the Aarambh organization in 1992, initially focusing on small projects and helping children near railway stations, who were often ragpickers. They established a non-formal education center and ran various projects funded by different partners. One such project is the Child Help Line, a government initiative with a special number 1098 for reporting child exploitation and abuse. Initially, child marriage was not a focus area for Aarambh, but with increased reporting, they began addressing it. They counsel families and, if successful, take them to the police station to ensure children are not married before the legal age. In some resistant cases, community intervention is necessary. The speaker highlights the growing prominence of child marriage and the organization's efforts to combat it.

07:27

📈 Rise in Child Marriage Cases in Bhopal

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2017-18, Aarambh handled around 27 child marriage cases. The number increased to 35 or 34 cases in 2019-20, and then dramatically rose to 54 cases in 2020-21. The speaker discusses several reasons for this increase, including rumors of the marriage age being raised from 18 to 21 for girls, leading to a rush in marriages. Additionally, many families have lost their breadwinner, and mothers struggle to support multiple daughters, opting for early marriage to reduce expenses. The speaker also touches on the historical context of child marriage in India, the challenges of law enforcement, and the importance of public education and NGO involvement in preventing child marriages. She shares her personal journey, motivated by her upbringing and the Bhopal gas tragedy, which led her to social work and a commitment to helping her city.

14:22

🌱 Post-Marriage Consequences and Personal Triumphs

The speaker discusses the broader implications of child marriage, such as health and economic issues, and the long-term understanding that girls may gain about the importance of delaying marriage. She expresses sadness over the limited opportunities for girls who were married early and the challenges in reintroducing them into regular schools. The speaker also shares her personal challenges in standing up against societal norms and her determination to fight for what she believes is right. She credits her husband's support as a significant factor in her ability to overcome obstacles and win her battles. The narrative concludes with the satisfaction she derives from seeing the children she has helped succeed and the pride she feels in her accomplishments.

Keywords

💡Bhopal

Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India. It is the geographical and administrative center for the region. In the script, Bhopal is highlighted as the location where the organization Aarambh was started, indicating its significance in the narrative of the video.

💡Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is a state located in the central part of India, known for its diverse population and cultural heritage. The script mentions that the majority of the population consists of middle-class families and migrants from villages, setting the social context for the issues discussed.

💡Aarambh

Aarambh is the name of the organization started by the speaker and her husband in Bhopal. It signifies the beginning or initiation of efforts to address social issues, particularly those affecting children. The organization's work is central to the video's theme of child welfare and protection.

💡Ragpickers

Ragpickers are children who collect rags or waste materials to sell for a living. The script mentions that Aarambh started by helping such children near railway stations, emphasizing the organization's focus on the most vulnerable and marginalized children.

💡Non-formal Education Center

A non-formal education center provides educational opportunities outside the traditional school system. The script describes how Aarambh established such a center, indicating a commitment to education as a means of social upliftment and child empowerment.

💡Child Helpline

The Child Helpline is a government of India project with a special number (1098) for reporting child exploitation or abuse. The script explains that Aarambh runs this project, highlighting its role in child protection and the importance of reporting and intervention in cases of child exploitation.

💡Child Marriage

Child marriage refers to the practice of marrying children before they reach the legal age of adulthood. The script discusses how child marriage was not initially a focus area for Aarambh but has since become a prominent issue, illustrating the changing nature of social work and the evolving challenges faced by children.

💡Police Station

The police station is mentioned in the context of preventing child marriages. Aarambh takes families to the police station to prepare documents ensuring that children will not be married before the legal age, demonstrating the role of law enforcement in social change.

💡Covid-19

Covid-19 is referred to as a period that saw an increase in child marriage cases. The pandemic's impact is highlighted as a factor contributing to the rise in child marriages, indicating the interconnectedness of social issues and global events.

💡Law Enforcement

Law enforcement is discussed in terms of its role in preventing child marriages and protecting children's rights. The script mentions the exemplary effect of police raids on child marriages, emphasizing the importance of legal action in social reform.

💡NGO

NGO stands for non-governmental organization and refers to organizations like Aarambh that operate independently of government to address social issues. The script mentions the collaborative efforts of NGOs in public education programs, highlighting the collective impact of civil society in promoting social change.

💡Social Work

Social work is a profession focused on helping individuals and communities to enhance their well-being. The script describes the speaker's background in social work and her motivation to help others, providing a personal context for her involvement in Aarambh and the broader theme of social service.

Highlights

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh, central India, with a majority of middle-class families and migrants from villages.

Aarambh organization was started in Bhopal in 1992 by the speaker and her husband, Anup.

Aarambh initially worked on small projects and helped children near railway stations who were ragpickers.

They established a non-formal education center funded partly by their own money.

Aarambh runs various projects funded by different partners, including a government of India child helpline project.

Childline 1098 is a pan-India number that ensures protection for exploited or abused children.

Aarambh works with street children and those facing exploitation, with a growing focus on child marriage.

Child marriage was not a focus area initially as it was rarely reported, but reporting has increased.

The organization raises awareness about the illegality of child marriage and involves the police when necessary.

There was a significant rise in child marriage cases from 27 in 2017-18 to 54 in 2020-21.

The fear of the marriage age being increased to 21 for girls has led to a surge in child marriages.

Many families have lost the head of the family, leading to child marriages as a means of support.

The tradition of early marriage in India clashes with progressive laws, making law enforcement challenging.

Public education programs and NGOs play a crucial role in preventing child marriages.

The speaker was motivated to do social work by her sisters who taught her in a convent school.

Bhopal's 1984 gas tragedy led the speaker to work with affected families and orphans.

The speaker believes that preventing child marriage is crucial for the health and economic well-being of girls.

The speaker finds satisfaction in seeing the children she has helped succeed and remember her.

The speaker faced challenges as a woman but received support from her husband and overcame them.

Transcripts

Bhopal is basically the capital

for Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh is the central part of India.

Majority we have middle class families

and many people migrating from villages.

We have around 300 to 400 slum areas,

slum pockets also.

In '92 me and my husband Anup

we started our organization Aarambh in Bhopal.

We started working with small projects.

We started picking up children near the railway stations.

They were like basically the ragpickers.

So we started a small non-formal education center,

taking out some money from our own pocket.

We also run a number of projects

which have been funded by different funding partners.

One of the projects is the child help line

which is a government of India's project.

And it has got a special number 1098,

which is a pan-India number.

And through Childline we ensure

that any child who has been exploited

or been abused, the child is protected.

We have been working with children, street children

and all kind of exploitation

which have been faced by children.

But child marriage was never a focus area for us

because we hardly got any call on this.

Earlier people were not reporting.

Now people are reporting.

So now we come to know

that child marriage is happening at a prominent level.

And we start talking to them, discussing,

and then just making them aware

that you should not do this.

So if people agree happily,

in that case,

what we do is we take the entire family

to the police station

and then we have a document being prepared

in the police station

and that they will not get their children married

before the age.

In some cases

where the people become very adamant

they start fighting

then there's a whole community surrounded.

Suddenly we had never realized

that 1098 will be flooded

with child marriage cases.

Before Covid, 2017-18,

we had around 27 cases

and 2019-20

we had Covid, we had around 35

or 34 cases.

And then 2020-21,

we suddenly, it was like 54 cases.

So it just shot up like that.

There were many reasons.

The government they're talking about this,

the marriage age should be increased

from 18 to 21 for a girl.

So now most of the marriages are happening

because of that fear.

There are a number of girls,

four or five girls in the family.

Maybe now we have more families

who have lost the head of the family.

And the mother is saying,

I won't be able to take care of them.

They said we don't have to invite many guests.

In less expenses we can get the marriage done.

Child marriage in India is an issue in context

of the progressive laws of India

and the social context of India as such.

With the tradition of Indian society believing

in early marriages,

that heritage of belief lingers on for centuries.

And that's why after the Indian constitution came up,

India introduced a lot of new

and progressive laws which hit at the social norms.

And the whole issue of law enforcement

then becomes a challenge.

The police forces is very concerned

about creating an impact

by the exemplary effect of enforcement of the law.

You get information

and you suddenly go

and raid that place

and you do it.

There is an exemplary effect.

Other people come to know

that yes, this is wrong.

For every five marriages prevented,

I would say there would have been 15

or 20 marriages not even taking place,

which would have taken place,

had these public education programs would not

have taken place with the help of the NGOs

like Archana Sahay's NGO

and other similar NGOs.

I was born and brought up in Bhopal

and I studied in a convent school.

Our sisters who used to teach us,

they used to do a lot of social work.

They used to take us along

in the communities where they,

they did kind of,

some help to the families and all.

So that all motivated me.

And I became gradually that,

helping people became a part of my responsibility.

Bhopal had faced the gas tragedy in 1984.

At that time I was a student of social work.

We got the opportunity to work with these affected families,

especially with children

because many children were left alone,

their parents were dead.

And then connecting them with their extended family

that was one of the major areas of what we did.

And many children were also orphans

so we connected them with the shelter homes,

we connected them with the orphanages.

Since then I wanted to work for my city.

What we have done is the right thing

because it's not just about marriage,

it's about

what happens after marriage

if it is done before 18 years.

There are health issues, economical issues.

Maybe today she's not understanding,

tomorrow she will really understand

that what was done for her was right.

Now she's sad.

So this sadness is making us feel a little uncomfortable

because she's already grown up

and we will be not in a position

to put her in a regular school.

So we feel bad.

And we are not able to find out many ways,

many opportunities for her to

do something in her life

and do something for herself.

Definitely this is a setback.

These issues teach us a lot.

When the child was being rescued

from the abusive situation.

And now when I see the children doing good

and when the children call me back

and then they tell about their success,

their own family

and what they're doing,

and still they remember me

that's the most satisfying thing which I get.

To stand up,

to fight in this world of men,

to make my own position was a big challenge for me.

But I got support from my husband.

He said, I don't want you to be recognized

as my wife, I'll feel proud when people will say

that I am your husband.

There were quite a few situations in all these 30 years

where people tried to put me down.

Because my father used to say

it's your fight,

you have to do it.

So it was always my fight.

And I'm happy

that I have won.

All the fights

I have won.