Child marriage is a very real thing in our time. It is a disturbing reality that should not exist. Each year 15 million girls are married before the age of 18. That is 28 girls every minute. 1 girl every 2 seconds. Children being given into marriage or human trafficking and having any hope of fulfilling the dreams they once had is taken from them. This happens world wide, even here in United States. Child marriages can be found in every region of the world, from the Middle East to Latin America, to South Asia and Europe. 1 in 3 girls in the developing world are said to be married before the age of 18.
Why does this happen? Well at the core of it, child marriage is rooted in gender inequality and the belief that girls and women are somehow inferior to boys and men. It is a very complex issue. Many causes such as poverty, lack of education, cultural practices, and insecurity aid this horrible practice. If we take a moment and put ourselves in these young girls shoes, we can truly understand just how devastating this is to them. Look at those you love around you. Our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, nieces. We do everything to empower them and give them a bright future. Shouldn't every young girl deserve the same chance?
Why does this happen? Well at the core of it, child marriage is rooted in gender inequality and the belief that girls and women are somehow inferior to boys and men. It is a very complex issue. Many causes such as poverty, lack of education, cultural practices, and insecurity aid this horrible practice. If we take a moment and put ourselves in these young girls shoes, we can truly understand just how devastating this is to them. Look at those you love around you. Our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, nieces. We do everything to empower them and give them a bright future. Shouldn't every young girl deserve the same chance?
Well what is being done about it? In recent years, child marriage has gained increasing prominence on international and national development agendas. With this momentum, a lot of work is being done to help change this practice. By investing in projects and organizations working to change this practice we can help bring hope and opportunity to young girls worldwide.
Organizations like Girls Not Brides, Breakthrough, Save the Children, Care, Forward and many more are all fighting to help young girls through education, mobilising families and communities, providing services and helping establish laws and policies. For example, Girls not Brides is empowering girls working directly with young girls to give them the opportunity to build skills and knowledge, understand and exercise their rights and develop support networks. Empowering girls to become agents of change, helping them forge their own pathway in life. Education and healthcare and child protection mechanisms are put in place so girls can reach their full potential.
Also by developing Safe Space Programs helping young girls learn life skills, health and financial literacy. As well as educating them and providing mentors and teachers to give young girls the confidence and skills they need. Even helping young girls start businesses and teaching them skills they need to succeed. It doesn't stop there, working with the parents, communities, and leaders to help save these young girls, teaching boys and men the value of these girls and helping them support young girls in their families, empowering them to reach their full potential. Having whole communities come together to change the status quo. Also establishing laws and implementing these laws are helping young girls worldwide.
These are our daughters, our sister, our nieces and we can help. By donating to organizations that are helping change young girls lives we are helping girls reach their full potential. We are giving them the opportunity to forge their own path.
Here at Wakened Apparel we believe that business and consumers have the power to change the world. By supporting charities mentioned above and tying purchases to donations we can help young girls change their lives for the better. We are donating 10% of every Laguna Blanket and Make Up Bag sold as well as more items to come towards helping young girls reach their full potential.
Photos by Girls Not Brides