Post News Network
Phulbani, Dec 10: Despite the spread of education and awareness, social maladies like child marriage and superstition still exist in tribal areas of the state. Hardly do many people volunteer to fight against these evils.
Jhili Sahani, a girl of Sakadi village under Khajuripada block in Kandhamal district, has set an example of sorts for others. Braving adverse social situation and her own poor economic condition, she has been campaigning against child marriage in her village and its peripheral areas, apart from pursuing higher education.
Jhili herself managed to ward off a bid to marry her off as a child. Since then, she has resolved to take up the fight against child marriage.
Born as the eldest daughter to Mishra Sahani and Gurubari Sahani, she passed HSC examination last year and is pursuing Plus-II Arts at Phulbani-based Sanjay Smruti Women’s College. She has three siblings and all her family has to accommodate itself into a small room. Her father being a daily wager, the family has not enough to lead life smoothly.
She recalls her own experience when her parents wanted her to give in marriage early. “Child marriage is still prevalent in some pockets. As I was the elder child, my parents searched for a marriage proposal soon after I passed HSC. I strongly opposed the move as I wanted to study,” Jhili said.
Her mother Gurubari says, “We stopped her early marriage as she opposed it. She convinced us about the ill impacts of early marriage on the health of a girl. If girls, below the age of 18, are given in marriage, they will have chances of frequent abortions and be affected by anaemia. In some cases, both the mother and child have chances of dying.”
“Our family is united behind Jhili’s campaign,” she added.
Jhilli, who has been campaigning along with her friend Jhulana Dehuri, observed that lack of awareness is a major factor responsible for prevalence of child marriage in backward districts like Kandhamal.
“I will keep up my fight against child marriage until the practice is eliminated in Kandhamal and other parts of the state. I visit houses and convince the people about the ill impacts of this age-old practice,” a determined Jhili said. PNN
