“Big Ring”: Campaign in Palestine to fight child marriage
The “Big Ring” campaign launched in Palestine aims to raise awareness of the risks and negative effects of child marriage on girls and their families.
NAGHAM KARAJEH
Gaza- The Communication Forum Association has launched a campaign called “Big Ring” to end child marriage and raise awareness of the risks and negative effects of child marriage in society. In an interview with NuJINHA, Hadeel Al-Khteeb, the coordinator of the campaign, said the aim of the campaign “is to raise awareness on child marriage and to be the voice of girls and women.”
The “Big Ring” represents the burdens of children caused by child marriage
Pointing to the increase in child marriages in Palestine, Hadeel Al-Khteeb said, “We chose “Big Ring” as the name of the campaign because it represents the responsibilities and burdens placed on the shoulders of children. As part of the campaign, we aim to raise awareness of public about sexual and gender-based violence and to mobilize NGOs and local communities in order to put pressure on decision-makers to issue laws that criminalize child marriage.”
The Palestinian Child Law of 2004 sets the age of majority at 18. The Egyptian Family Rights Law No. 303 of 1954, enforced in Gaza, sets the age of marriage at 18 for a male and 17 for a female. “However, this law is violated and girls are forced into marriage before 17,” said Hadeel Al-Khteeb, emphasizing that the victims of child marriage are subjected to domestic and psychological violence. “Child marriage deprives children of their right to education.”
They have collected 10,000 signatures
As part of the campaign, the association launched a petition on its official website. “We collected 10,000 signatures. We have created video ads and posted them on our social media accounts. We sent brochures about our campaign to human rights organizations and NGOs. In addition, we conducted a survey to learn what people thinks of child marriage. We will carry out more activities to raise awareness on child marriage and to end child marriage,” Hadeel Al-Khteeb said.
Calling on women’s organizations to support their campaign, Hadeel Al-Khteeb thinks that international organizations should take responsibility to end child marriage.