• Goodnewsr
  • Posts
  • How WhatsApp is Curbing Child Marriages in Rural India

How WhatsApp is Curbing Child Marriages in Rural India

Disrupting Tradition and Empowering the Future

Author

Nwslettr Team
October 02, 2023

In India's western state of Maharashtra lies the district of Beed, a place notorious for child marriages.

But as technology makes its way to even the most remote corners of the world, Ashok Tangde and Tatwasheel Kamble have found a powerful tool in WhatsApp to combat this deeply rooted tradition.

The Unexpected Notification From Beed

On a seemingly ordinary afternoon, Ashok Tangde received a WhatsApp message. It wasn't just any message—it was a digital wedding card of an underage girl. This card would set off a series of events in the battle against child marriage.

Known for its bustling sugar industry, Beed is an epicenter for child marriages. With nearly half of the women in the region being married before reaching 18, the problem is further exacerbated by the sugarcane industry's demand for married couples as labor.

The WhatsApp Revolution

Activists Tangde and Kamble have embraced technology's power, using WhatsApp as an instrumental tool. This messaging platform enables them to receive real-time intel, mobilize actions swiftly, and intervene in potential child marriages.

The Struggle Beyond Tech

While technology offers a solution, the battle isn't without challenges. Misconceptions about child marriage, societal norms, and the economic pressures faced by families play a significant role in its prevalence.

COVID-19's onset posed a new challenge for the activists. With schools shuttered and children homebound, the rate of child marriages surged. Yet, it also provided instances of reflection, with some families realizing the detrimental impacts of early marriage.

Looking Ahead

With every child marriage they prevent, Tangde and Kamble prove that change is possible. While the journey is fraught with resistance and danger, there are moments of hope, like a grateful father's wedding invitation for his adult daughter.

In the digital age, tools like WhatsApp provide more than just a means of communication. For activists in rural India, it's a beacon of hope, a call to action, and a testament to the resilience of those committed to creating a brighter future for India's youth.

Stopping Child Marriages with WhatsApp

Step-by-Step Guide to Tangde and Kamble’s Intervention Process:

  1. Network Building: Cultivate relationships with local informants across the district.

  2. Real-time Alerts: Receive a tip-off about a potential child marriage via WhatsApp.

  3. Swift Verification: Use the platform to instantly verify the age of the potential bride or groom by accessing documents such as birth certificates.

  4. Mobilization: Quickly disseminate the information to local police stations and government officials to prevent the marriage.

  5. Intervention: Arrive at the location, often with law enforcement in tow, to halt the proceedings.

  6. Post-Intervention: Engage with the Child Welfare Committee to counsel the child and family, emphasizing the importance of education and the risks of early marriage.

  7. Ongoing Monitoring: Establish a system to ensure the child's safety and continued education, while also checking on their well-being.

By utilizing the technology at hand and their unwavering commitment, activists like Tangde and Kamble illuminate the path toward a more equitable and just world.