The Child Bride Part Of: A Harrowing Reality Revealed

Disclaimer: The following article contains sensitive content and discusses a disturbing reality prevalent in some societies. Reader discretion is advised.

Child marriage, a practice that has been deeply rooted in human history, continues to inflict pain and suffering upon young girls around the world. This dark chapter of our society remains prevalent in many regions, silently snatching away childhoods and trapping innocent souls in a cycle of abuse and despair. In this article, we will shed light on the reality of child brides, their struggles, and the urgent need for action to eradicate this harrowing practice.

The Stark Reality: Numbers that Haunt

According to a report by Girls Not Brides, a global partnership committed to ending child marriage, around 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 each year, which equates to approximately 23 girls every minute. These numbers are truly staggering and highlight the magnitude of this alarming issue.

The Child Bride: Part 2 of 3

by Cathy Glass (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1637 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	72 pages

FREE

Child marriage is not confined to a certain region or culture; it occurs in various countries across the globe. Particularly prevalent in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, this harmful practice cuts across different religions and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Forced into Adulthood: Stories of Desolation

Behind these staggering numbers are real stories of young girls, robbed of their childhood and forced into adulthood prematurely. The stories of child brides are filled with pain, desperation, and lost dreams.

One such story is that of Amina, a 14-year-old girl from a rural village in Bangladesh. Amina dreamt of becoming a teacher and empowering other girls in her community. However, her dreams were shattered when her parents arranged for her to marry a man twice her age. Amina's education was abruptly ended, and she was thrust into a life of domesticity and child-rearing, far from the future she had imagined.

A similar fate befell Fatima, a 13-year-old girl from Niger. She was married off to a man three times her age and became pregnant shortly after. Due to her young age, the pregnancy was fraught with complications, putting both mother and child's lives at risk.

These are just two stories among millions, each highlighting the devastating consequences of child marriage. The physical, emotional, and psychological toll on these young girls cannot be measured adequately.

The Cycle of Poverty and Abuse

Child marriage is not only a violation of human rights but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and abuse. Young girls forced into marriages often result in a lack of access to education, limited economic opportunities, and increased vulnerability to domestic violence. The consequences seep into future generations as well, as children born to child brides are more likely to face health issues, malnutrition, and reduced access to education.

This vicious cycle traps families and communities in a perpetual state of poverty, hindering progress and stifling development.

Light at the End of the Tunnel: Steps Towards Change

While child marriage may seem like an insurmountable problem, there are signs of progress and hope. Governments, international organizations, and grassroots movements are actively working towards ending this practice.

Legal reforms play a crucial role in addressing child marriage. Many countries have raised the minimum age of marriage, implemented stricter laws, and increased penalties for those involved in child marriages. However, these reforms need to be complemented by effective implementation and awareness campaigns to break deeply ingrained societal norms.

Education also plays a vital role in eliminating child marriage. By empowering girls with knowledge and skills, they can defy societal expectations, challenge harmful practices, and break free from the chains of child marriage.

: A Call to Action

The plight of child brides cannot be ignored or overlooked. It is imperative that we, as a global community, unite to protect the rights of these vulnerable girls and put an end to this violation of human rights.

The Child Bride Part Of may be a harrowing and heartbreaking reality, but it is not a hopeless one. By raising awareness, mobilizing resources, and demanding change, we can create a world where no child is robbed of their childhood, dreams, or dignity. Only then can we truly progress towards a brighter and more just future for all.

The Child Bride: Part 2 of 3

by Cathy Glass (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1637 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	72 pages

FREE

The Child Bride can either be read as a full-length eBook or in 3 serialised eBook-only parts.

This is PART 2 of 3.

You can read Part 2 two weeks ahead of release of the full-length eBook and paperback.

Cathy Glass, international bestselling author, tells the shocking story of Zeena, a young Asian girl desperate to escape from her family.

When 14 -year-old Zeena begs to be taken into care with a non-Asian family, she is clearly petrified. But of what?

Placed in the home of experienced foster carer Cathy and her family, Zeena gradually settles into her new life, but misses her little brothers and sisters terribly. Prevented from having any contact with them by her family who insist she has brought shame and dishonour on the whole community, Zeena tries to see them at school. But when her father and uncle find out, they bundle her into a car and threaten to set fire to her if she makes anymore trouble. Zeena is too frightened to press charges against them despite being offered police protection in a safe house.

Eventually, Cathy discovers the devastating truth from Zeena, and with devastation she believes there is little she can do to help her.