Child Marriage in Gujarat: What We're Doing to Fight It

Despite being illegal in India, child marriage persists in pockets of Gujarat's most underserved communities. Girls as young as 13 or 14 are married off, with devastating consequences for their health, their futures, and the futures of their children.

Why It Happens Child marriage is not simply a cultural practice. It is, at its core, an economic transaction. Families facing extreme poverty view daughters as financial burdens. A marriage, even an early one, means one less mouth to feed and potentially a brideprice received.

Girls who are not in school are far more likely to be married young. School is, literally, a protective factor.

The Health Consequences Girls who marry before 18 face dramatically higher risks of: - Complications during pregnancy and childbirth (a leading cause of death among girls 15-19) - Domestic violence and abuse - Mental health challenges including depression and anxiety - Social isolation from peers and community

What AFJS Trust Does Our Girl Empowerment program is specifically designed to keep girls in school and out of early marriage. We work on multiple levels:

• Family Counselling: We engage directly with parents, grandparents, and community elders to shift attitudes. We present education as an investment that increases a girl's value, prospects, and future earning potential.

• Mentorship Networks: Girls benefit enormously from seeing older women who have stayed in school and built meaningful lives. Our mentors are role models, confidantes, and advocates.

• Economic Literacy: We help girls understand their rights, including the right to refuse early marriage, and equip them with skills that create economic alternatives.

Every Girl We Keep in School is a child marriage prevented. It is that simple. Education is not just about literacy. It is the single most effective intervention to protect girls from exploitation and harm.