Model of engagement to improve health and wellbeing of adolescent girls
Child marriage is one of the biggest setbacks to development in today’s world. It has been estimated that worldwide, more than 700 million women alive today were married as children. Girls who marry before they turn 18 are less likely to remain in school and more likely to experience domestic violence. Young teenage girls are more likely to die due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth than women in their 20s; their infants are more likely to be stillborn or die in the first month of life. In India, child marriage has been practiced for centuries. The problem of child marriages in India is a complex one because of the interplay of religious traditions, social practices, economic factors and blind beliefs.
PRIA undertook a participatory survey in two districts of Haryana to assess the situation of early and forced marriage and girls-at-risk. The study report can be accessed at: http://pria.org/knowledge-details-morethanjustbrides-early-child-marriages-in-haryana-3044-24-0
Based on the levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices of family, community and young people regarding child forced marriage and sexual reproductive health practices assessed through the pilot study, PRIA is implementing a community model of engagement to improve health and wellbeing of married adolescent girls and girls-at-risk in Haryana.
Objectives
1. To promote delay in the age of marriage and first conception among adolescent girls
2. To reduce maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rate among adolescent girls
3. To support youth leadership in addressing child marriage in the districts of Sonipat and Panipat
4. To promote institutional accountability of schools, universities, colleges, panchayats, municipalities and law enforcement bodies in ensuring safety for women and girls
Specific target groups
Married adolescent girls and girls-at-risk
Geographical spread
Namunda and Manana villages in Sonipat district, and Rehmana and Mahra villages in Panipat district in Haryana
Methodology/Key components
Includes creation of youth groups, social mobilisation on the issue and capacity building of institutions and individuals to become accountable and take responsibility for reducing child marriages.
Key outputs/deliverables
1. Adolescent girls are aware of their rights
2. Adolescent girls who had dropped out of school enroll back
3. Adolescent girls find a platform to unite with their peers in a safe space
4. Increased access of married and unmarried girls to health, education, economic, and legal support
5. Boys and men in the community are equally aware of the adverse effects of child marriage on adolescent girls
6. Increased reporting of cases of child marriages
7. Increased accountability and monitoring of national/regional/community institutions
Year/Period
April 1, 2016 – March 31, 2017
Client
YWCA of India