Read how a girl saved herself from child marriage

“I WILL GET MARRIED, BUT ONLY WHEN I GET SETTLED”  – decision of a girl who cancelled her child marriage

Rekha raised her voice against child marriage as she was forced by her parents to get married at the age of 14.

Akshata Bhawar

Pune, 27th Nov.

  Rekha (name has been changed) was being forced by her parents to marry at the age of 14. She belongs to a village, where her parents are into farming. The decision of getting married at the age of fourteen was negated by Rekha and her grandparents, so she raised her voice against the same.

          Due to the economic condition of her family, she had to leave her village and stay in a city with her grandparents for her education. Her grandparents are labors on a construction site, so it was difficult for them to look after Rekha once they were at work.  An organization that takes care of children of labourers assisted Rekha for her further education.  She started gaining interest in studies, which led her to standard 8th. Her parents requested her to come back to the village due to someone’s medical issues; she agreed and instantly followed the order of her parents. Later, a truth was revealed that Rekha’s parents lied to her. She was not called for some medical issue. Her parents had arranged a marriage of Rekha, which was about to take place in four days and that was the only reason why Rekha was called on so short notice by her parents. Her grandparents tried to explain her parents regarding the child-marriage, but they were not ready to give-up on their decision. Finally, Rekha texted an organization which helped her during her education and informed them about her situation and unwillingness to get married. Individuals from the same organization reached at Rekha’s house with the local police when few marriage rituals were taking place. The police requested her parents to discontinue every marriage ceremony, but they denied. The police had to take an action to stop this marriage, so they took everyone present there during the ceremony to the police station. 

 In front of everyone, a question was asked to Rekha by a police officer, “Do you want to marry?”  She answered, “I don’t want to get married at this age. First, I would like to complete my education, get settled and then get married.”

Rekha’s marriage was cancelled, as she gathered courage and confessed in front of everyone about her unwillingness to get married. She was sent back to the city for her further education. Currently, Rekha studies in 11th grade and desires to be a nurse. 

A suggestion to all young girls was given by Rekha, “Do not marry at a small age. If your parents want you to get married at a small age, then make them realize the importance of education.  You just have to stay on your own; it was possible for me to stop my marriage as I was firm. If you decide and stay focused on one thing then anything is possible.” 

(Akshata Bhawar is a student of journalism and mass ccommunication )