Blog Ten- New Clause for Bangledesh

Blog 10

Summary/Analysis

In past weeks, there has been a lot in international news about increasing the minimum age in which girls are legally able to marry. This has given such hope for upcoming years and future generations. Hopes in that less abuse will occur within the home, that young girls would be able to do more for themselves, and that traditional beliefs would be revisited. While hope still remains intact, an article by Nandini Chowdhury from Devex.com has pointed out that certain countries have instated a clause for the minimum age of marriage.

This clause states that the “Child Marriage Restraint Act will keep the minimum age at 18, but still allow natives to marry at 16, if the woman is pregnant, or with parental approval” (Chowdhurry, 2015). This means that the main issue of “forced” marriage for children is still present. It means that young girls can be manipulated by their culture and society to get married and pursue what others believe best.

Young girls can still be made to marry by way of parental encouragement. Though merely a draft, this act, says Nandina Chowdhury mentions that “instating can easily make the situation of child brides worse than it is and was” (Chowdhurry, 2015).  

Work Cited

Chowdhurry, N. S. (2015, April 22). A dangerous clause to "legally" decrease child marraige in Bangledesh. In Devex. Retrieved from https://www.devex.com/news/a-dangerous-clause-to-legally-decrease-child-marriage-in-bangladesh-85966

Time Stamp: 4/24/2015 9:08pm

Blog 9- Courage- Katelynne Lee

Courage

As discussed in past weeks, many countries and organizations have begun fighting court and laws based on legal and appropriate ages for marriage. This week, the article of choice is by Geeta Gupta of All Africa.com who introduces two brave girls, Loveness Mudzuru and Ruvimbo Tsododzi, who had hopes and dreams for their future but instead were forced against their own will to marry at the ripe age of sixteen. Now in their late teens, they are both fighting to raise awareness for child brides and the wrongness it entails. The two teens have written letters to various government officials and have spoken with numerous organizations to help spread the awareness of child brides. Mudzuru and Tsododzi mention that the government needs to do more to prevent the rise of child brides from continuing stating more education needs to happen, health awareness should be addressed, and welfare of young girls needs to be supported. With girls like Mudzuru and Tsodzi and their powerful voices and determination to stop child marriages and promote awareness to their country amongst others, we will see a decline of child marriages worldwide.

Work Cited

Gupta, G. R. (2015, April 10). Zimbabwe: Courageous Legal Challenge By Child Brides in Zimbabwe. Retrieved from http://allafrica.com/stories/201504100990.html

Time Stamp: 4/17/15 5:11pm

Blog 8- Souls-Katelynne Lee

Saving the Souls of Child Brides

Summary:

Saving the Souls of Child Brides author, Katey Hearth, discusses in her intense article of the drastic increase in child marriages internationally, but mentions specifically the prevalence in Guatemala. Hearth brings fourth children an opportunity to be rescued, safe, and offers them opportunity for their future. Such reference is to the Kids Alive International Oasis Center is located in Canada. This group of incredible people spread awareness on prevalence of child brides as well as the subsequent mortality rates. They give children at risk or those rescued trauma counseling, safe location, abuse counseling, and education on how to balance pregnancy with school. Hearth, who is an extreme advocate for such programs, says it is a great program and they have seen vast improvement in the children.

Analysis:

As with many programs I have found and researched, it seems this is one of the better programs. It allows for a multidimensional support system for these girls who may not other have any. Offering counseling and providing a safe location and outlet is a huge step in making a child okay again.

Work Cited

Hearth, K. (2015, April 2). Saving the Souls of Child Brides. Retrieved from https://www.mnnonline.org/news/saving-the-souls-of-child-brides

Time Stamp: 4/10/15 9:56pm

Blog 7- Raising Beti

Raising Beti

Previously, my blogs have discussed what organizations and companies alike are doing to prevent child marriages and bring children some semblance of a childhood. Such blogs have covered news laws, legislation, and bringing education about such topics. This week, I chose to go more into empowerment of young girls and found an article on an Indian woman raising her daughter in America.

The mother, Tina Karkera, states in the article that she loves her culture and desires her child to know and understand her culture. She states it is great to know where one came from, but she mentions that she wants to teach her child to rise up against the old, traditional views her culture has. Karkera states that being female in Indian culture is seen both as wonderful, but still lower on the gender scale. She makes mention that in Indian culture, a woman’s voice should not be heard and that women are to grow up to become married. Karkera wants her child to rise against this traditional belief system stating she wants her to know how to speak her voice, to show her emotions whether good or bad, to be present and to make her own decisions for herself and not anybody else.

This article speaks a great deal on what women should be able to do and encourages girls to grow and be who they want to be. Karkera is one woman who is going to make a difference in generations of young girls raised in harsh, male dominated worlds. This is one huge step in changing mindsets of the world and I hope more parents and people become this way.

Work Cited

Karkera, T. (2015, April 3). Raising My Beti. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-karkera/raising-my-beti_b_6856628.html

Time Stamp: 4/3/15 8:50pm

Blog 6- Girls Not Brides

Mabel Van Oranje: Ending Child Marriage In One Generation

The past weeks have brought the topic of child brides and it’s prevalence in developing countries into play as well as preventative measures various countries are taking to stop forced marriages. This week, the topic continues on how not only countries are trying to stop such an institution but what organizations are doing as well.

The article I have found this week focuses on Mabel van Oranje, the founder of Girls Not Brides. Mabel Oranje and her powerful organization shows great adamancy of ending child brides in one generation and gives much needed detail into the lives of child brides and how we can prevent it. Girls Not Brides encompasses over 400 members from 60 countries all doing their part to stop this act. Oranje states that the first thing she plans to do is to empower girls stating “we need to make these girls aware of their rights, the wrongness of forced marriage, and their value as human beings”. The second plan of attack Oranje is focusing on is to make each country “more powerful members, men for instance, realize the harmfulness of child marriages”. Oranje’s plan also includes education for these young girls involving “knowledge of their reproductive health and what it entails”. “Education”, says Oranje, “provides an alternative to child marriages and may make girls turn against marriage”. Last in her attack is to “implement more laws governing a legal age of marriage for each country”.

After reading this article and exploring Oranje’s website, it appears strong that her mission to end child marriages will happen. It may take longer than she expects, but with help of her 400 members and future members alike it is bound to take flight and we will soon see a world without child brides and forced marriages.

Work Cited

Brand, M. (2015, March 23). Mabel van Oranje of Girls Not Brides wants to end child marriage in one generation. In Pri.org. Retrieved from http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-03-23/ending-child-marriage-one-generation-extended-interview-mabel-van-oranje-girls

Time Stamp: 3/23/2015 3:55pm