The phenomenon of child brides is one of the major threats to the physical and psychological health of girls and young women: every 7 seconds a girl under 15 years of age is forced to marry a much older man. The age drops to under 10 years in countries such as Afghanistan, Yemen, India and Somalia. A recent survey carried out by UNICEF shows that the numbers are increasing. Today there are 700 million women who have married in childhood. By 2030 there will be 950 million.
To save many children and girls from early marriage and domestic slavery it is important to develop alternative educational approaches that involve children directly. For example, the Salesian schools gave life to the 'Local Children’s Parliament’ project, an initiative with which educators are creating citizens more aware of their rights."
In the Local Children’s Parliament children gather in groups and discuss among themselves. "During the discussions, which are guided by a dedicated staff, family problems emerge, situations of abuse and exploitation," he explains.
Minors aged 11 to 18 are divided into groups of 25-30 members, which function as in a democracy. They elect a prime minister and ministers and reflect on the issues of the day. Once the Parliament "is formed, the children are guided in discussions about basic human rights, those of children and other special rights. Educators help them to identify issues or social problems and violations of rights affecting their families in particular or society as a whole. "
This type of programme, emphasizes Fr. Menamparampil, "intervenes before marriages are celebrated, because later it is more difficult to act. Girls learn to be aware of themselves, what they want to do in life, and the fact that they are free to marry whomever they wish. "If families are opposed to the free choice of the young people, educators cannot but denounce these abuses to the police. "At that point,” he concludes, “it is up to the police to enforce the law.”
Source: AsiaNews
