Pernikahan anak meningkat di Jakarta, perubahan iklim jadi sebabnya? | #dwidn

Summary

Hikmah, married at 14 to Cakra, a fisherman from Kalibaru, North Jakarta, faced early marriage due to economic hardship. Her family, like many others in the coastal community, relies on fishing for their livelihood, but environmental degradation and climate change have made this increasingly difficult. In this community, early marriages are common, especially for girls, as a means to ease financial burdens. Hikmah, despite the challenges, works tirelessly to support her family and hopes for a better future for her children, prioritizing their education and dreams, which she never had the chance to fully pursue.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hikmah, a woman from Kalibaru, North Jakarta, married young at 14 due to economic pressures from her family.
• 😀 Child marriage in Kalibaru is common, with economic hardship often being the driving force behind it.
• 😀 The local community primarily depends on fishing, but pollution and environmental degradation are significantly harming the industry.
• 😀 Industrial waste and reclamation projects are further damaging the marine ecosystem and reducing fish catches.
• 😀 Due to unpredictable weather and changing fishing conditions, fishermen's income has become less reliable.
• 😀 In addition to fishing, many residents work as shellfish peelers, boat laborers, or in other low-paying jobs.
• 😀 Women in the area, like Hikmah, often bear the economic burden when their husbands are unable to work, and they take on various side jobs to support their families.
• 😀 Child marriage increases the risk of domestic violence, especially when coupled with informal marriages (nikah siri).
• 😀 The impact of climate change is worsening the economic situation of fishermen and reinforcing the trend of early marriages as families struggle financially.
• 😀 The majority of people in Kalibaru have only completed primary or secondary school, with limited educational opportunities, which contributes to early marriage.
• 😀 Hikmah hopes to provide a better future for her children, including access to higher education, which she sees as a way out of the cycle of poverty and early marriage.

Q & A

Why did Hikmah get married at such a young age?

Hikmah married at a young age primarily due to economic hardship. Her parents, who were fishermen, decided to marry her off early to lessen the financial burden on the family.

What is the situation with child marriage in Kalibaru, Cilincing?

Child marriage is still prevalent in Kalibaru, Cilincing, despite a decrease in cases in recent years. In 2022, there were 19 reported cases, and in 2023, 14. Kalibaru has the highest rate of child marriage in North Jakarta.

How does the local economy in Kalibaru contribute to child marriage?

The local economy in Kalibaru, primarily dependent on fishing, is struggling due to environmental issues and climate change, leading families to marry off their daughters at a young age to ease financial burdens.

What environmental challenges do the fishermen in Kalibaru face?

Fishermen in Kalibaru face several environmental challenges, including water pollution, factory waste, and the impact of reclamation on fishing areas. These issues, compounded by climate change, have made fishing unpredictable and more difficult.

How has the fishing industry been affected by climate change?

Climate change has caused unpredictable weather patterns, making fishing seasons irregular. Fishermen are no longer able to predict the winds, which has decreased their income, as they cannot fish as reliably as before.

What risks do young girls face when they marry early?

Girls who marry early are at a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence, especially in areas where informal marriages (nikah siri) are common. Early marriage also limits their opportunities for education and economic independence.

How does Hikmah manage to support her family despite her husband's unpredictable income?

Hikmah supports her family by working various odd jobs, including running a small store. She also emphasizes the importance of saving money for emergencies, such as when someone falls ill or when extra funds are needed for her children's education.

What role do women play in the economy of Kalibaru's fishing community?

Women in Kalibaru often shoulder a significant portion of the economic burden. In many households, women are responsible for ensuring the family can meet basic needs, especially when their husbands are unable to fish or earn a steady income.

What educational challenges do children in Kalibaru face?

In Kalibaru, many children do not complete their education beyond elementary school. Education is limited, and some even drop out before finishing elementary school, which contributes to the cycle of poverty and child marriage.

What is Hikmah’s hope for her children's future?

Despite her early marriage and limited education, Hikmah hopes for a better future for her children. She wants them to receive a good education and avoid the hardships she faced, particularly the pressure to marry young.