(May 28, 2023) In the sleepy village of Hinsla, some 150-km from Jaipur, in Alwar district of Rajasthan, child marriage has been a long-standing tradition. Girls as young as eleven or twelve are married off by elders as they reach the “appropriate age” since most are considered a social and financial burden. However, in a world where deeply rooted traditions often overshadow progress and human rights, there are individuals who rise above the norms, challenge the status quo, and become catalysts for change. Payal Jangid is one such inspirational figure. Her relentless fight against the practice of child marriage in her village has made a significant impact, not only in her own life but also in the lives of countless others. This made her the first Indian to receive the Goalkeepers Global Goals Changemaker Award from Gates Foundation in 2019.
Payal Jangid receiving Changemaker Award for eradicating child marriage from her village
She was just twelve when she overheard her parents discussing suitors for her and her sister, who is two years older than her. That very moment her heart sank as she reminisced the times, she watched innumerable little girls in her village being married off to strangers at such a tender age, and the idea made her uneasy and claustrophobic. “Watching them, I knew that this was wrong—children shouldn’t be put through this,” she told Reader’s Digest. Despite the cards dealt to her, she was determined to change her destiny, even if it meant standing up against the old-age traditions and elders. She blatantly refused marrying at a young age, and even protested against her sister’s marriage proposal. However, she was met with strong dissent. “Marrying off children young was considered auspicious (in my village),” she added.
But not the one to bow, she kept standing firm until she found courage from an unexpected source in 2012. That’s the year that destiny intervened when the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), an organisation dedicated to the welfare of children, selected Hinsla as a pilot village for their child-friendly village initiative. This initiative aimed to transform the village into a safe and nurturing environment for children, emphasising their right to education, healthcare, and protection against exploitation. It was BBA founder, Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi and his wife, Sumedha Kailash’s interaction with the community on child’s right to education and healthcare that turned out to be an inspiration for Priya. This turning point in Payal’s life not only provided her with an opportunity for personal growth but also fuelled her passion to fight for the rights of children.
Inspired by the work of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Payal became an active advocate for children’s rights, particularly the eradication of child marriage, especially after the Satyarthis helped put a stop to her marriage and convinced her parents if the dangers of child marriage. It was the change in the attitude of her parents that encouraged her to tirelessly worked to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of early marriage on young girls, their health, education, and overall well-being. Through various campaigns, she engaged with community members, parents, and local authorities, educating them about the importance of allowing girls to pursue their dreams, rather than burdening them with the responsibilities of marriage at a tender age.
It was in 2013 that she was elected as the sarpanch of Bal Panchayat – a platform where children to freely talk about their issues to a leader who could in turn help come up with solutions after coordinating with village panchayats. “With 11 members of the Children’s Parliament, we started raising our voice against the ban on child labour and child marriage around the village. As most of the girls were pushed into child labour, farming and household work, nobody was sending their daughters to school to complete their studies,” she told New Indian Express.
The Global Indian organised protests and educated the community on the oppressive practices of domestic abuse, child labour, ghoonghat pratha. However, she was met with fierce opposition as many people turned her away for “spoiling their kids with radical ideas”. But she didn’t give up.
Payal’s efforts did not go unnoticed. Not only in 2019, when she was just 17 years old, she was honoured with the prestigious ‘Goalkeepers Global Goals Changemaker Award’ by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation but no instances of child marriage have been reported in her village since then. This recognition served as a testament to her relentless dedication and inspired others to join her cause. Through her courage and determination, Payal Jangid had become a beacon of hope for girls not only in her village but across the globe.
Her efforts have contributed tremendously to making the children of Alwar commit to attending school and completing school. The 20-year-old, who aspires to be a teacher, is also the brand ambassador of Alwar’s ‘Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao’ programme.
Payal Jangid met Barack Obama in 2015 during his visit to India
Her remarkable journey is a testament to the power of one individual’s determination to create a better world. Payal’s fight against child marriage has not only transformed her own life but has also sparked a wave of change in her community. The impact of her work goes beyond merely preventing early marriages; it has instilled hope and empowered countless young girls to dream big and pursue their aspirations.
Her story serves as a reminder that no matter how deeply rooted traditions may be, change is possible. It takes courageous individuals like her to challenge societal norms, inspire others, and pave the way for a brighter future. Through her activism, Payal Jangid has proven that age is not a barrier to making a difference and that even the smallest of actions can have far-reaching consequences. “Many resign themselves, to the way things are, far too easily. Everyone must challenge injustice and not run away or hide from problems. With strength and cooperation, even the toughest minds can be changed,” she added.
Good Job! Payal
Hallo, Goud Job haiyaa Payal Jangid la.