With regards to the rise in child marriages around the world, education is a fundamental solution to the issue as it helps build awareness that will help in a decision-making process and when facing challenges. However, most importantly, it teaches our children to be good human beings and to stand tall and fight for their rights.
Social traits derives from our upbringing and that is where the society plays an important role. A predesposition to stand up against social evils such as racial and sexual discrimination, corruption and poverty are lessons to be learnt thorughout the course of life. However, it required the right kind of approach, more than an educational qualification. Although, education is a fundamental solution to the problem and girls who are educated tend to marry later, but it is not the sole solution as the upbringing plays a big role and that is what needs to change more than the need for education.
Making girls feel worthy of what they dream to achieve is what takes them further in life. If a girl child is made to achieve what she dreams of, there is no one who can deter her other than the fear of opposition, neglect and hatred of some people that will make the girl child succumb to becoming a child bride. There is definitely a need to educate girls well, in terms of their rights, what they are worthy of and how to fight for themselves and stand up against all odds.
- The reader is an Indian principal based in Dubai.
