Sandhiya Muralidharan

High School Finalist, Grade 9
Franklin, TN

A Childhood Without Choice

“Coming now, Amma…” she muttered softly. The young girl's vibrant garments draped heavily over her small, fragile frame, with ornate burgundy patterns peeking beneath her clothing, engulfing her hands and feet. She silently traced buildings in the dirt as she watched her brothers play outside, feeling the weight of her fate lying heavy in her heart. At only 13 years old, she should've been running alongside her brothers through the dusty village streets. But she knew that her circumstances would never allow her to pursue her dreams. As the final pins were placed in the folds of her dupatta and the last pieces of jewelry were fastened to her body, she realized it wasn’t just her wedding; she was abandoning the life she had always imagined for herself. Her ambitions. Her education. Her future. All were diminished before her life truly began. 

Challenges and Impacts of Child Marriage

Although her presence is imagined, her story is the devastating truth for millions of girls across India. India is home to over 216 million child brides, with 1 in 4 young women being married in their childhood (UNICEF, 2022). This not only strips away their basic sovereignty,  but ultimately alters the entirety of their lives. Fewer than 2 in 10 married girls continue their schooling after marriage. (UNICEF, 2023). With no education, their paths and decisions become extremely limited. Any efforts to find a job or seek financial independence are essentially extinguished. Furthermore, girls married before the age of 15 are almost 50% more likely to have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence than those married after 18 (Girls Not Brides, 2026). The imbalance of power between the child and their partner allows abuse within households to persist, enabling a cycle of oppression and control. The child's mental health is also put at serious risk when married so young. Many can experience feelings of isolation and depression as they have trouble adjusting to their demanding duty as wives and mothers. 

This practice is most rampant in West Bengal, Bihar, and Tripura, with more than 40% of women aged 20-24 years married below 18 (UNFPA, 2022). In these regions, child marriage is shaped by overlapping forces of gender inequality, poverty, and deeply rooted societal norms. What is often perceived as a protective decision by families to ease financial burden and uphold honor is, in practice, a reflection of constrained choices- ones that continue to limit access to education and perpetuate poor conditions across generations. 

Solutions

So how can we, as residents of the United States, help end something that feels so distant and unimaginable in our reality? There is no single definitive answer; however, there are concrete actions we can take to raise awareness and protect the livelihoods of children who are denied equal opportunity.

1.) Support NGOs

Education is a vital factor in ending the injustices brought by child marriage, as it empowers young girls with knowledge and autonomy. Supporting organizations such as CRY  America or Girls Not Brides can directly improve conditions for girls in need through education programs and funding. Donations as small as $99 can provide education for 9 girls living in rural areas (CRY America, 2026). 

2.) Advocate for foreign policy

Advocating for foreign policy changes from within the U.S. is an effective way to prevent child marriage, as U.S.policy and international aid have a significant impact on the global stage regarding humanitarian crises. For example, in 2015, the U.S. passed an act called the Girls  Count Act, which ensured that developing countries registered all births (World Vision 2015). The main goal of this act was to make sure every girl was legally accounted for. This is important because when a girl’s birth is officially recorded, her age is legally verified, making it much harder for her to be married before she turns 18. It also increases the likelihood that she will stay in school, since proper documentation is often required for enrollment. As citizens, we can support initiatives similar to the Girls Count Act by reaching out to leaders and representatives and pushing for increased funding for international aid programs that can protect girls and improve their access to education. In doing so, we help reinforce systems that make child marriage less possible in the first place. 

3.) Spread awareness through social media

Social media has become a powerful tool for advocacy, allowing firsthand survivor accounts, digital storytelling, and educational campaigns to sensitize global viewers to the issue of child marriage. Along with hashtags such as #EndChildMarriage and #KeepGirlsInSchool,  these efforts can drive engagement with aid organizations and shift perceptions about gender inequality. 

Conclusion 

Although I know that I cannot single-handedly end child marriage, I’ve realized that distance does not diminish responsibility. Every instance of indifference accounts for another defenseless girl being robbed of her innocence. It is our job to utilize our privilege as American citizens to advocate for those whose voices are silenced. Somewhere in rural India, there is a girl just like me- someone with dreams that extend far beyond the walls of her home: dreams of being an architect, an engineer, or anything she chooses. So the question before us isn’t whether these girls are capable, but if we have the willingness to create a world where they are allowed to determine the course of their own lives.