In Shravasti, a district in Uttar Pradesh, India, approximately 25% of girls were married by the age of 19 in 2013, despite the practice being illegal in the country.
A Young Bride’s Story
A visit to Shravasti, less than 90 miles from the author’s hometown, revealed a pattern of young women living with their in-laws and managing households while their husbands migrated for work.
The author became interested in the lives of these young brides, questioning their choices, dreams, and expectations.
In April 2014, the author met 14-year-old Arti the day before her wedding. Arti was actively involved in the wedding preparations and appeared capable of managing a household at a young age.
On her wedding day, Arti received help from friends and relatives with her sari and makeup, briefly displaying a sense of vulnerability.
When asked about her feelings regarding the marriage, Arti responded, “What is there to feel? It happens to everyone.”
After her marriage, Arti struggled to please her mother-in-law despite her efforts to fulfill her duties as a daughter-in-law. Her husband, age 21, continued his education while Arti had to discontinue hers.
In 2019, Arti experienced a miscarriage at 19 years old, leaving her heartbroken and physically weakened. During the first wave of the pandemic in April 2020, she died by suicide.
Arti’s death highlighted the severe consequences of child marriage, a practice that denies women agency and can lead to tragic outcomes.
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