togetherTV videos - Shakuntala Purra

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Shakuntala Purra
Age: 23
Home: Pastapur, India
At the age of 12, Shakuntala’s parents decided she was ready for marriage. Unable to refuse, she ran away from home. She now makes films about women, the environment and health to inform people in small villages of their rights.
Filed in: Asia, Women

India and child marriage

Marriage for children under 18 has been illegal in India for more than 70 years
On auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, it’s not uncommon for thousands of children, including babies, to be married
The tradition is deeply ingrained in the culture of certain parts of India, where early marriage is regarded by many as the safest means of keeping or gaining money and property
The young brides are susceptible to many health problems including premature pregnancies, which cause higher rates of maternal and infant mortality

Filed in: Asia, Women

India

India
population: 1.07 billion
children in child marriage, rural: 46%
population living below $2 a day: 79.9%