Innocent Brides

Putting our spotlight on some Sub-Saharan African and South Asian countries, one will always notice an important element in their culture that is "Marriages at young ages". No doubt this topic calls out a conflict between backward people, who still live in old times, and modern as well as literate people who are broad-minded. Let's not forget that this isn't just the talk of child marriages that occur in rural areas but it's also for those innocent girls who even live in urban cities and are bidden farewell as soon as they turn 18. Getting the daughters married at a young age for example at or below 18, apparently comes up with many adverse effects as further elaborated in the passage.

One of the major effects on girls is that they get deprived of education. For the moral, ethical, cognitive, and social upbringing; education is an essential component. It mightn't guarantee one a secure financial future or a perfect career, but it definitely provides a person the required etiquettes to live in a society. Unfortunately, many females are lacking this important tool of literacy in themselves. At the age of 18, they're still immature and aren't aware of how to face people or how to communicate with them. It's mainly because they haven't been given exposure to the outside world. How can they manage to adjust and fit with their new family if they're not mature enough or intellectually unprepared? Moreover, they have no idea of the different colors of this world, good or bad, neither do they know the evils that are roaming in society.

Anxiety and depression are other negative influences on females. Not all early marriages are smooth and successful. In fact, many girls' engagements get called off. Sometimes poor girls unluckily experience toxic relationships with their partners, who often turn out to be arrogant, egoistic, and insecure men. Consequently, early age breakups make girls suffer psychologically and feel lower self-esteem. They begin disregarding themselves and are reluctant to move on in life. Dear women, don't forget that falling in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness.

Many in-laws greatly misuse the newly arrived brides. Of course, the young females aren't much educated nor are they aware of their due rights, so how will they be valued by their in-laws? Therefore typical mother-in-law's fully ensuring the new guest (aka bride) is taken full benefit of. From cooking and cleaning to washing clothes and looking after kids, are their main chores. They're used as a dummy for performing this domestic work. Greatly undervalued by their husbands, if the girls try to raise voices against any injustice; unluckily they end up facing physical violence. In some families, girls tolerate this inequity since they're initially taught by their parents to never let their homes break up. However, this isn't the sole purpose women are sent to this world. Till how long will the women be told to remain quiet and suffer? Till their last breath? Do they not deserve to live a moment for themselves?

This practice by illiterate people shall be stopped and effective measures must be taken to spread awareness amongst people. Specifically, girls shall be familiarized with the importance of education and self-dependency and how it can transform them into excellent employees as well as support for their families. It is with a great delight watching many girls-empowering sessions and campaigns occurring worldwide but the efforts need to be consistent and if we unitedly endeavor, we'll definitely see this evil practice vanish in the long run. Its a message to all the parents, "You gotta start teaching your daughters to be somebodies instead of somebody's "- Kifah Shah