Lakshmi Fights Child Marriage in Uttar Pradesh

Why this is here: An anganwadi worker in Chandauli earns only 8,000 rupees per month—less than the state’s minimum wage—while also tackling issues like child marriage with limited government benefits.

Sixteen-year-old Lakshmi of Mubarakpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, writes and sings songs to protest child marriage and advocate for girls’ education. She once faced being married herself in Class 5, but intervention from local workers paused the arrangement. Now, Lakshmi and her friends actively resist child marriage, educating their community and reporting cases to authorities.

India accounts for roughly 34% of child brides globally, with Uttar Pradesh having the highest number. In Chandauli district, 17.2% of women aged 20-24 were married before 18, a decrease from 33.7% in 2015-2016. Anganwadi workers and village pradhans are crucial in preventing these marriages, despite limited resources and facing resistance from families rooted in financial pressures and social norms.

While progress is being made with initiatives like ‘KAWACH’ and active village committees, challenges remain. Many parents still seek to marry daughters young due to poverty or fears about social boundaries.

The effectiveness of these committees relies on sustained support and training, as fully functional groups were only established recently. The work of identifying and preventing child marriage continues, with girls like Lakshmi leading the charge.