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When Sunita learned that her young daughter’s marriage was being planned, she quickly contacted a child rights group, triggering prompt intervention by officials.
The story of a 14-year-old girl stopping child marriage in Ayodhya
Ayodhya: In a courageous stand against child marriage, Sunita Devi (name changed), a mother from Ayodhya, fought to protect her 14-year-old daughter from being forced into early marriage.
Despite facing personal hardships and living separately from her family, she refused to let her daughter suffer the same fate she once endured.
When she learned about the planned marriage, Sunita sought immediate help from a local child rights organisation, leading to timely intervention by authorities.
Her determination and bravery ultimately saved her daughter and gave the young girl a chance to continue her childhood and education.
Backgrounder
According to the information her husband’s alcohol-fueled rage often turned Sunita into a target. Beaten repeatedly and left with no support system, she eventually walked away - a painful decision that meant leaving her young daughter behind. With no financial resources and nowhere to go, survival became her priority.
But when she learned that her husband had arranged the marriage of their 14-year-old daughter, Manju (name changed), to an older man, Sunita knew she could not remain silent.
A Call for Help
Having previously attended awareness programmes on child marriage conducted by Aparajita Samajik Samiti, Sunita was aware of the legal protections available to minors. She had saved the phone number of one of the organisation’s coordinators - a decision that would later prove crucial.
“She immediately contacted us and sought help, requesting that her identity remain confidential,” said Kiran Bais, Director of Aparajita Samajik Samiti. “Our priority was to intervene quickly and ensure the child’s safety.”
Aparajita Samajik Samiti is a partner of Just Rights for Children, one of India’s largest child protection networks with over 250 NGO partners. The network works closely with district administrations and police to prevent child marriage and raise awareness about child protection laws.
Swift Intervention Prevents Marriage
Acting promptly, the NGO alerted the district administration, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and the police. A joint team reached the girl’s home before the marriage could take place. Manju’s father was brought in for questioning, and the minor was presented before the CWC.
During counselling, Manju displayed remarkable clarity and courage. She expressed her unwillingness to return to her father’s home, fearing that he would again try to force her into marriage. Instead, she requested to stay with her married elder sister.
“It was a courageous stand for a child her age,” Bais said. “She firmly refused to go back despite the pressure.”
Authorities informed the father of the legal consequences of conducting a child marriage under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. He was required to sign a written undertaking stating that he would not arrange her marriage until she turns 18.
Safe - For Now
Today, Manju is living safely with her sister. Members of the NGO continue to monitor her situation to ensure there is no renewed attempt to marry her off.
Sunita remains separated from her family, but she carries a quiet sense of relief. Though distance still defines her life, she knows her daughter has been spared the suffering she once endured.
