How did we prevent Geeta’s child marriage

When one “no” stopped child marriage

At 17, Geeta had lot of dreams of her own: about her studies in computer science and electronics and about her future. But in the community where she lives, where poverty often dictates family decisions, her story could have taken a very different course. A marriage proposal arrived unexpectedly, wrapped in false promises and financial pressures that threatened to rob her of everything she had fought for.

Child marriage in India: when the poverty threatens the future

In India, 1 in 3 girls is married before the age of 18. Child marriage perpetuates poverty and violates girls’ fundamental rights. At Mumbai Smiles, we work to change this reality.

Her sister’s in-laws had their eyes on Geeta. The proposal seemed “generous”: to marry her off to a young man from their family and in return, pay for the dental treatment she needed. The urgency was evident: Geeta’s father had suffered a stroke and was no longer able to work and the family’s financial situation was becoming increasingly desperate.

But behind this apparent solution lay a much crueler reality. What they really wanted was a capable young woman from humble family to serve their every need. Child and forced marriage was about to claim another victim.

Fortunately, Geeta participated in our Smiling Bus activities and it was there where we learned about her situation. At that crucial moment, our work of proximity and trust with the most vulnerable communities made the difference.

How Mumbai Smiles intervened against forced child marriage

At Mumbai Smiles, we acted immediately. We explained to Geeta and her family the legal consequences of child marriage and the devastating impact it would have on their present and future. It wasn’t just about informing them, but about opening their eyes which was blurred due to the desperation.

Geeta quickly understood the gravity of the situation. Together with her father, who had strongly opposed this hasty union from the beginning, they began working to convince her mother. She saw marriage as a solution to her financial problems, but our meetings helped her understand that, far from being a solution, this marriage would irrevocably jeopardize her daughter’s life.

The decisive moment came when we offered our comprehensive support: mentoring her in her studies and attending to her medical needs. Suddenly, there was a real alternative to forced marriage.

Education vs Poverty: the power of saying “No” to the child marriage

Thanks to awareness-raising and reflection efforts with the entire family, the marriage was annulled. Geeta regained control of her life and with it, the opportunity to build the future she had always dreamed of.

But the story doesn’t end there. Today, Geeta not only continues her studies in computer science and electronics with excellent results, but is also completing an internship. In an extraordinary turn of events, this brave young woman has become the breadwinner for her family, proving that education and opportunity are the true solution to poverty.

Your donation can support preventing the child marriage

Geeta’s story shows that education is the most powerful tool against child marriage and poverty. Your donation can prevent more girls from being forced into marriage. This story starts with our Smiling Bus and we’re inviting you to collaborate with our transformative project in the peaceful fight against trafficking, as Geeta’s story is living proof that every donation, every gesture of solidarity, can radically change the course of a life.

By collaborating you agree to say “no” to child marriage; you’ll be defending girls’ right to be who they are, to study and to dream.