Peer-reviewed article
Early Marriages and School Dropouts: Experiences of Adolescent Girl Victims in Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Farooq Abdullah, Shamim Akhtar, Jawaria Zafar, Sadaf Munir ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view ·Key points
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Abstract
In patriarchal society, early marriage is deeply entrenched to preserve family honour and control female, positioning girls as future homemakers rather than educated individuals. This study explores the experiences of adolescent girls affected by early marriage and its consequences for their education and health. Employing a qualitative exploratory design, we interviewed 15 such girls via snowball sampling and analysed data thematically. Findings reveal a vicious cycle driven by patriarchal norms, health risks (e.g., fistula trauma, GBV-induced PTSD), and intervention gaps, precipitating pre-secondary dropouts and low literacy. Honor-based narratives prioritize purity over schooling, while stipends yield limited success. Bundled reforms—norm-challenging dialogues, integrated health-education programs, refined stipends, and rural infrastructure targeting male gatekeepers—will foster equity, retention, and resilience.