Child marriage is a deeply entrenched global issue affecting millions of young girls, depriving them of their rights to education, health, and a future of their choosing. Despite efforts to combat the practice, cultural, social, and economic factors continue to perpetuate it. In the fight against child marriage, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have played a crucial role, not only in direct interventions but also in promoting literature that advocates against the practice. Through books, articles, educational materials, and storytelling, NGOs raise awareness, influence public opinion, and inspire change on local, national, and international levels.
This article explores how NGOs use literature to advocate against child marriage, examining the strategies they employ, the impact of their efforts, and the importance of storytelling in changing perceptions about this global issue.
Amplifying Voices Through Survivor Stories
One of the most powerful tools NGOs use to advocate against child marriage is amplifying the voices of survivors through literature. By sharing firsthand accounts, these organizations bring attention to the human toll of child marriage, highlighting the emotional, physical, and psychological suffering endured by young girls.
Survivor stories published in books, reports, and articles are essential in humanizing the issue. For instance, Girls Not Brides, a global partnership of over 1,500 organizations, often features stories of child marriage survivors on its website and in advocacy materials. By giving survivors a platform to share their experiences, these NGOs create empathy and inspire action among readers. The stories challenge the normalization of child marriage by illustrating the devastating impact it has on individual lives.
Similarly, NGOs like Plan International and CARE have documented and published testimonials from girls who have escaped or resisted child marriage. These narratives are powerful because they give a voice to those who are often silenced and marginalized. By focusing on personal stories, NGOs engage broader audiences, making the issue more relatable and urgent. Literature like “I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced”—a memoir about a Yemeni girl who fought for her freedom—has become a rallying cry for activists and organizations globally.
Publishing Research and Advocacy Reports
Beyond personal stories, NGOs are instrumental in publishing research and advocacy reports that frame child marriage as a violation of human rights and a barrier to sustainable development. These publications serve as essential tools in raising awareness, influencing policy, and holding governments accountable.
Organizations like Human Rights Watch (HRW) and UNICEF frequently release detailed reports that examine the root causes and consequences of child marriage, using data and case studies to make compelling arguments for reform. For example, HRW’s 2016 report, “Ending Child Marriage: Meeting the Global Development Goals’ Promise to Girls”, examines the systemic drivers of child marriage, such as poverty and gender inequality, and provides recommendations for governments and international bodies.
By producing well-researched reports, NGOs provide stakeholders with evidence to advocate for stronger legal protections, educational programs, and community interventions. The literature they generate is often used by journalists, policymakers, and educators to inform public discourse and shape laws that protect children from early marriage.
Promoting Educational Literature in Communities
One of the most significant roles NGOs play is in promoting educational literature that informs and empowers communities to reject child marriage. Many NGOs produce and distribute culturally relevant materials, such as brochures, booklets, and posters, in rural and underserved areas where child marriage is prevalent. These materials often contain simplified versions of human rights principles, local laws, and the consequences of child marriage, making the issue accessible to a broader audience.
For instance, Tostan, an NGO working in West Africa, focuses on community-led education programs that use storytelling, theater, and literature to address harmful practices like child marriage. Through the distribution of educational materials in local languages, Tostan encourages community discussions that challenge traditional views on marriage and gender roles. This approach not only raises awareness but also fosters a sense of ownership and agency among community members to create change from within.
Other NGOs, like Save the Children, develop child-friendly literature that promotes girls’ education and empowerment, illustrating how delaying marriage can lead to healthier and more prosperous futures. These educational resources often target both children and adults, recognizing that changing community norms requires collective understanding and action.
Literature as a Tool for Policy Advocacy
In addition to raising awareness, NGOs use literature as a critical tool for policy advocacy. Reports, position papers, and briefings prepared by NGOs often serve as the foundation for lobbying efforts aimed at governments and international organizations. These documents present evidence-based arguments for legal reforms, the enforcement of existing laws, and the implementation of programs that protect girls from child marriage.
For example, Girls Not Brides publishes advocacy toolkits designed for local NGOs and grassroots organizations to use when engaging with policymakers. These toolkits provide guidelines on how to frame the issue of child marriage, present data effectively, and make persuasive arguments for policy changes. The literature produced through these collaborations is vital for building momentum in legislative reform, whether it’s increasing the legal age of marriage, ensuring access to education for girls, or providing healthcare and support services for survivors.
Similarly, UNICEF’s research and publications are often cited in international forums, including the United Nations and other global bodies, to advocate for the inclusion of child marriage prevention in broader development goals. Through these efforts, NGOs ensure that the issue remains a priority on the global agenda.
Fostering Global Solidarity Through Literature
One of the unique contributions NGOs make is fostering a sense of global solidarity through literature that advocates for the end of child marriage. By connecting communities, countries, and cultures through shared stories, NGOs emphasize that child marriage is not an isolated issue but a global challenge that requires collective action.
Books, articles, and publications that feature stories from diverse regions help to build a global network of advocates and activists. For instance, organizations like The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage produce literature that features the stories of girls and communities from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, showing how the issue transcends borders. This approach reinforces the idea that ending child marriage is a universal cause, uniting people from different backgrounds in the fight for girls’ rights.
Furthermore, NGOs often collaborate with writers, poets, and journalists to produce anthologies and literary works that focus on child marriage. By supporting the creation of such works, they contribute to the cultural shift needed to end the practice. Books like “Sold” by Patricia McCormick, which tells the story of a girl sold into marriage, or “The Pearl that Broke Its Shell” by Nadia Hashimi, which explores the practice in Afghanistan, are examples of how literature can spark empathy and advocacy on a global scale.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
While NGOs play an essential role in promoting literature that advocates against child marriage, there are challenges and ethical considerations in the process. One key concern is the risk of exploiting survivors’ stories for fundraising or advocacy purposes without fully considering their emotional well-being or long-term impact. Ensuring that survivors have agency over how their stories are shared and that their dignity is upheld is critical.
Additionally, NGOs must be mindful of cultural sensitivities when producing and distributing literature in communities where child marriage is normalized. Striking a balance between challenging harmful practices and respecting cultural nuances is essential for fostering genuine change rather than resistance or backlash.
