Child Marriage

Vikalp works to combat the effects of child marriage, through our Meri Khushi project, in two key ways:

1. Firstly by aiming to prevent child marriages wherever possible and just as importantly, by assisting girls who have been married as children to lead full, empowered lives. Evidence shows that education is an effective strategy in preventing child marriages. Vikalp works with girls, their families and other stakeholders like schools, governments and marriage service providers to broaden community awareness about the negative effects of child marriages. Vikalp has established local volunteer groups and resource networks to help prevent such practices in their areas, and continue to advocate with local governments for the better enforcement of the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
2. Vikalp also builds the capacity of girls and youth to understand the effects of child marriage, recognize their legal rights and the process for complaint registrations or marriage annulments. Through many of our education and empowerment programs, Vikalp also assists girls, who have been married, to delay their gauna (process of moving to their in-laws’ houses), continue their education and live as happy, free, confident and healthy adolescents.