At 230 million, India accounts for the world’s highest number of child brides. Married in their early teens, these girls lack education, access to health care, are financially dependent and vulnerable to domestic abuse.
We support early married girls in education, health care, livelihood, social security and protect them from gender-based violence. IMAGE works in the state of Karnataka, which accounts for 23% of India’s Child Marriages. IMAGE began in 2018 and its first phase closed in 2020. IMAGE 2.0 began during September 2021
| Health Care Ensuring early married girls access health and nutrition services, along with reproductive health care and awareness. 238 Girls sensitised on postponment of pregnancies 381 Girls receive health check ups & nutritional supplements |
Awareness Raising Sensitising community members on the ill-effects of early marriage as a means to prevent early marriages and address issues of child marriage victims. 1780 School children raise awareness against child marriage 102 Schools where awareness raising through rallies and wall paintings were done 5 Street theatre sessions for the community for awareness against child marriage |
| Education Ensuring early married girls access education through schools or as private candidates. 220 Girls access educational services 19 Girls re-enrolled in formal school 19 Girls registered as private candidates |
Child Protection Working to prevent child marriages and strengthening child protection institutions and mechanisms. 370 Girls immediately safeguarded from early marriage and gender-based violence 262 Community members participated in Child 26 Protection Committees Meetings with Child Protection Committees |
18 year old Salma was married at 17 and became pregnant soon after. Her body couldn’t handle the early pregnancy and she complained of fatigue and ill health. The field staff, through a mobile application called Nutree noted down her symptoms and shared with her a customised diet plan as generated by
the app.
The app also suggested that she take nutritional supplements and calcium tablets which the project provided to her. She has been undergoing follow up sessions through the app which monitors her progress and makes further suggestions to improve her health.
STORY OF CHANGE
She was also given access to a ‘mother card’ which helps her avail of services from the local anganwadi (health care centre). Her health hasimproved and she has also got knowledge on pre and post natal care as well as postponing her next pregnancy
