Girls Hit the Football Field to Tackle Child Marriage

In India, where early marriages are still customary despite being outlawed for more than a decade, a girls’ football initiative helps tackle gender inequality and gives child brides the confidence to fight for their rights.

“Football took [the girls] out of their homes… they have seen the world outside their villages,” says Sudhir Joseph, coach and joint secretary at the Rajasthan Football Association. Thanks to the game, girls have a chance to travel and to broaden their horizons.

Four years ago, the non-profit Mahila Jan Adhikar Samiti launched a program to fight child marriage and help girls achieve their dreams. It turns out football was a great strategy to convince families to let the girls take part in week-long camps where they could not only improve their technique and strategy but also learn about child marriage laws, career options and meet legal officials from their home district. “I want [girls] to have the courage to speak up and not get trapped in marriage,” says Meera, child bride, football player, and aspiring football coach, who took some time during the lockdown to visit local families and encourage them to send their daughters to play.