Child marriage continues among deprived groups
Child and early marriages still occur isolated and deprived ethnic minority communities in the central province of Quang Binh.
Dan Hoa is a border commune where about 3,000 people of several ethnic minority groups including Chut, Sach, May and Khua live. Dan Hoa is also one of the poorest communes and lacks electricity or clean water. People in the area still practice child marriage.
According to the communal people's committee, about 20 early marriages have been held since 2015. Most of the brides and grooms are only 15 to 17 years old. Ho Thi Chui got married at 16 years old and dropped out of school to work in the fields.
"My husband is 18 years old and goes to work while I stay home to take care of our child. We didn't get a marriage certificate because they said we were not old enough. Here, we only need approval from parents and hold a ceremony for the villagers," she said.
The couples said they were old enough and their families do not necessarily need a marriage certificate. Meanwhile, sex education classes for children are few and far in between. The communal authorities, the schools and the border guards have worked together to raise awareness about incestuous and child marriages.
Dan Hoa Chairman Doan Phuc Hanh said most of the couples dropped out of school and as a result, they mostly live in poverty.
"They only study until 8th or 9th grade. Every time we heard about such case, we'd come to talk to them but we’ve had little impact," Hanh said.
Cao Xuan Kiem, head of K-Ai Village, said, "They don't have money for administrative fines. We can only give out warnings and try to raise awareness about the issue and help improve their capacity to earn a living."
Dan Hoa is a border commune where about 3,000 people of several ethnic minority groups including Chut, Sach, May and Khua live. Dan Hoa is also one of the poorest communes and lacks electricity or clean water. People in the area still practice child marriage.
Young mothers can be easily found in Dan Hoa Commune
According to the communal people's committee, about 20 early marriages have been held since 2015. Most of the brides and grooms are only 15 to 17 years old. Ho Thi Chui got married at 16 years old and dropped out of school to work in the fields.
Ho Thi Chui gets married and has a child when she was 16 years old
"My husband is 18 years old and goes to work while I stay home to take care of our child. We didn't get a marriage certificate because they said we were not old enough. Here, we only need approval from parents and hold a ceremony for the villagers," she said.
The couples said they were old enough and their families do not necessarily need a marriage certificate. Meanwhile, sex education classes for children are few and far in between. The communal authorities, the schools and the border guards have worked together to raise awareness about incestuous and child marriages.
Dan Hoa Chairman Doan Phuc Hanh said most of the couples dropped out of school and as a result, they mostly live in poverty.
"They only study until 8th or 9th grade. Every time we heard about such case, we'd come to talk to them but we’ve had little impact," Hanh said.
Cao Xuan Kiem, head of K-Ai Village, said, "They don't have money for administrative fines. We can only give out warnings and try to raise awareness about the issue and help improve their capacity to earn a living."
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