Agents of Social Changes: Girls Not Brides Organization

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Girls Not Bribes as an Agent of Social change
Girls Not Brides: Mission and Methods
Analysis of the Change
Significance and Need for Change
Influence of Organization and Its Work
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The world’s cultural traditions are significantly different and demonstrate the diversity of people, which is a positive aspect for the development of the world. However, some practices are outdated, harmful to people, and violate human rights. The Girl Not Bride organization fights against one such tradition of child marriage that harms the mental and physical health and development of thousands of young girls around the world. My interest in this topic is based on my belief that all people should have the right and freedom to choose their path, but children most often cannot influence their destiny and require help. Therefore, in this paper, I will present the Girls Not Bride organization that emerged as a result of social change in the culture of marriage and is the cause of it today.

Girls Not Bribes was founded in 2011 by a group of independent global leaders and today operates through local and international organizations such as schools, educational, social, and health centers (“About us,” n.d.). The organization offers membership to all facilities that wish to join the movement. At the same time, anyone can donate directly to these members to support their work. Girls Not Bribes is an agent of social change as it changes the culture and perceptions of marriage in countries and families where child marriage is considered the norm. In addition, the instrument and consequence of this change is the improvement of the education of girls and women and their rights, which often limit countries with a tradition of child marriage.

Girls Not Brides: Mission and Methods

The Girls Not Brides’ mission is to end the tradition of child marriage by changing the population’s attitude towards this practice, which will increase girls’ opportunities for education, health, and career development. The main work methods are promoting the prohibition of child marriages in society through education of the population about its harm, providing funds and educational opportunities for children from families in need (“How we work,” n.d.). In addition, since many countries do not have laws against child marriage, the organization also contributes to the development of legal initiatives and advocacy campaigns.

Analysis of the Change

Analysis of the organization shows that the change to which its activities are directed can be attributed to several types of changes. First, the elimination of child marriages requires a shift in women’s and children’s roles in families, since such a tradition is caused by the attitude towards them as property but not as an individual. Secondly, this problem also requires a shift in the emphasis on the function of the family because child marriage is usually used to solve financial issues (Koski et al., 2017). The problem also affects the micro and macro levels, as it begins with a change in the perception of child marriage by individuals, who later require changes in the state, and, as a result, the practice is banned throughout the world. However, since the problem is widespread and difficult to solve due to cultural traditions and social issues, the change is long-term.

The change was caused by a shift in the perception of child marriage in society. Just a century ago, early marriage was a necessity because women depended on their parents and then on their husbands financially and socially, since they had no rights. In addition, infant mortality was much higher, and the reproductive age was lower due to the lack of quality medicine, so women became mothers at a young age (Koski et al., 2017). However, in the modern world, these problems have diminished, and society has recognized the harm of child marriage on individuals’ development. Consequently, the change in attitudes towards child marriage began unintentionally, but today it is a deliberate and planned effort by states and international organizations.

Significance and Need for Change

Child marriage is a common problem not only in the countries of East and Africa but also in the United States. This practice has a detrimental effect on the lives of individuals and society in general. For example, girls married under 18 tend to be less educated and have more health problems due to early pregnancy and stress, which affects their ability to have a high-paying job (Koski et al., 2017). These features are reflected in society’s state, since a low level of education, a high level of morbidity, mortality, and violence affect the country’s economic and social capabilities. However, reducing child marriage solves this problem by increasing girls’ educational and economic opportunities (Male & Wodon, 2018). Moreover, an increase in education and a higher level of earning, in turn, reduce the number of child marriages (Male & Wodon, 2018). Consequently, the problem is cyclical, and Girls Not Brides have chosen the right methods to solve it.

Influence of Organization and Its Work

Girls Not Brides has influence and promote social change on three levels. The organization is changing the lives of some girls by protecting them from child marriage and giving them opportunities for education and personal development. The organization develops advocacy campaigns and initiatives to help states pass laws against child marriage and change how society perceives this practice (“How we work,” n.d.). As a result, the organization has a global impact as it operates in 100 countries around the world and engages the international community in the implementation of social change to end child marriage. Consequently, Girls Not Brides promotes social change on a micro and macro level, which increases the chances of its success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Girls Not Brides is an effective agent of social change as it has the resources and influence at the individual, local, and global level to overcome the problem of child marriage. The organization and the need for change arose as a consequence of a shift in social perception of the acceptable age for marriage due to the development of society and economics. However, the complete elimination of child marriage will also be a consequence of the organization’s activities. At the same time, while this goal is long-term globally, some girls and their families can experience its results in their lives in a short time.

References

About us. (n.d.). Web.

Harper, C. L., & Leicht, K. T. (2018). Exploring social change: America and the world. Routledge.

How we work.(n.d.). Web.

Koski, A., Clark, S., & Nandi, A. (2017). Has child marriage declined in sub-Saharan Africa? An analysis of trends in 31 countries.Population and Development Review, 43(1), 7–29. Web.

Male, C., & Wodon, Q. (2018). Girls’ education and child marriage in West and Central Africa: Trends, impacts, costs, and solutions.Forum for Social Economics, 47(2), 262–274. Web.

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