Savitha stands up against social evil

Salkinkoppa is one of the backward villages of Uttarkannada ADP where girls forced to get married at a very early stage. Child marriage as we know is the practice of getting children married below the age of 18.

Lack of awareness, poverty and migration are main reasons for child marriage in this area. Having more number of girls in the family, lead parents to force girls to get married at an early age and they also feel that financial burden would be reduced if the girls get married and moved to the in-laws’ house. 

“Here I was at the age of 10, I was forced to get married while I was studying in standard 5^th, even before I attained puberty. The groom was in 7th standard at the time of our marriage. Child marriage not only resulted in additional family responsibility, but also meant the end of education,” says Savitha.

“I was asked to drop from school and forced to go to my in laws house and could continue only up to standard 10.  But I refused to go as I was doing quite well in my studies and was interested to continue my education,” she added. 

Savitha took the help of village volunteer to convince their parents about the importance of education.  Ramesh one of the volunteers in the village convinced Savitha’s parents.

Her parents eventually agreed to send her to the college because of the financial assistance provided from World Vision. Knowing Savitha’s situation, World Vision assisted her higher studies.

“With this opening I was able to complete the course in Class XII and now I am able also to complete the course on NTC (Nursery Training Course). I even encourage my husband to study and now he is completing his degree course.  At present I am preparing myself to study D. Ed for the future. My suggestion to my friends is that they should not get married at an early age,” says Savitha.