What we do

There are close to 1.5 million girls in India who are married off every year before the legal age (Indian Population Census, 2011). Despite the enactment of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, the practice of child marriages continues to be widespread in India. There are many reasons for girl child marriages, most of them being cultural, social and religious traditions and beliefs (NCPCR study).

Child marriages deny the most basic rights for girls such as the right to education, health and safety. Besides denied the right to a happy childhood, the major problems they face are:

• Denied rights to express their issues, challenges and needs 
• Prone to high rates of unintended pregnancy, abortion, preterm labor, delivery of low birth weight babies, high incidences of fetal and maternal mortality
• Ineligible to avail services pertaining to SRHR, ANC & PNC due to age and legal hurdles; compromises their ability to assume health promotion practices and seek timely care, and aggravates their vulnerability to health and social problems.
• Forced to take up labour jobs due to poverty; Remain illiterate and ignorant about the social developments; loss of economic independence
• Prone to gender-based and domestic violence; highly vulnerable to child trafficking and other forms of sexual abuse and exploitation; they are especially at risk for physical and sexual violence within marriage 
• Increased vulnerability on the loss of a spouse, either due to death, separation or divorce

Despite years of several attempts by NGOs and Government to address the above issues and consequences faced by these girls and women, the problems continue to persist due to lack of appropriate platform and meaningful representation of this particular target group at various levels. We believe that empowering these girls and women to be agents of change leading to safe, secure and dignified lives.

Inspired by the success and the lessons learned from the IMAGE and IMAGE Plus projects in Bangladesh, IMAGE project was replicated in India, particularly in Karnataka. It incorporates 5 major project components to effectively support EMGs and families to reduce harm and assist EMGs to fulfill their rights:

• SRHR (Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights) focused interventions: The project creates awareness to EMGs on reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, avoiding early union and help them to postpone their pregnancy and spacing between the pregnancy.
• Activities related to Education & Vocational training:EMGs who are interested to continue their formal education are either re-enrolled in the schools or supported to write their exams privately. Tutorial support and education materials are provided to them from the project. Opportunities created for future livelihood by provided job Oriented Vocational training to interested EMGs.
• Health and Nutrition: The project creates health awareness to EMGs and vulnerable girls, also provides health services and referrals to EMGs
• Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV): The project supports the EMGs against Gender Based and Domestic violence by creating legal awareness and referral services. It also works with the spouses and family members of EMGs for behavioral change and norms
• Social Protection:  Advocating with the Government and other stakeholders to ensure access of various welfare schemes and entitlements available for the married women. Support to EMGs to access general civic IDs and entitlements.