Case Study:

Rajasthan community; the Shaikh

The Shaikh community in Rajasthan is a historically significant and culturally rich community that has a significant presence in the state of Rajasthan, which is located in northern India. The Shaikhs are primarily Muslims and are known for their distinct customs, traditions, and social practices.

• Demographics:

The Shaikh community in Rajasthan is primarily concentrated in the districts of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Sikar, and Tonk. They are also found in other parts of the state, although in smaller numbers. The community comprises both rural and urban populations, with the majority of them engaged in agriculture, trade, and other professions.

• Social structure:

The Shaikh community in Rajasthan follows a strict patriarchal social structure. The family is considered the basic unit of society, and the elders in the family hold considerable authority and respect. Marriages are generally arranged within the community, and caste endogamy is prevalent. The community is known for its close-knit social fabric and a strong sense of community cohesion.

• Occupation and livelihood:

Agriculture and trade are the primary occupations of the Shaikh community in Rajasthan. They are engaged in farming, livestock rearing, and other related activities. Some members of the community also work in the small-scale manufacturing and service sectors. Many Shaikhs are also involved in traditional crafts such as pottery, weaving, and metalwork.

• Religion and culture:

The Shaikh community in Rajasthan is predominantly Muslim and follows the tenets of Islam. They have their mosques and religious institutions where they offer prayers and participate in community events. The community celebrates Islamic festivals such as Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha with great fervor and also observes various traditional customs and practices associated with Islam.

The Shaikhs have a rich cultural heritage and are known for their traditional folk music, dance, and art forms. They have their distinct style of music and dance, which includes forms like Ghoomar, Kalbelia, and Mirchi Bada. These cultural practices are an integral part of their social and community life and are passed down through generations.

• Challenges:

Like other communities, the Shaikh community in Rajasthan faces various challenges. Some of the key challenges include poverty, lack of education, limited access to healthcare, and social discrimination. Despite facing these challenges, the community has made efforts to overcome them and has shown resilience in preserving their culture and traditions.

Extent of the Practice of Child Marriage

Child marriage, which is the practice of marrying off children below the age of 18, is a prevalent issue in some parts of Rajasthan, including among the Shaikh community. Despite the legal age of marriage in India being 18 for females and 21 for males, child marriage continues to be practiced due to various socio-cultural, economic, and traditional factors.

1. Extent of child marriage in Rajasthan:

Rajasthan has one of the highest prevalence rates of child marriage in India. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted in 2019-20, the percentage of women aged 20-24 years who were married before the age of 18 in Rajasthan was 35.4%. This indicates that a significant proportion of girls in Rajasthan are married off before they reach the legal age of marriage.

• Factors contributing to child marriage:

Child marriage in Rajasthan, including among the Shaikh community, is influenced by various factors, including:

• Socio-cultural norms and traditions: Deep-rooted customs and traditions that prioritize early marriage as a social norm, often driven by notions of family honor, purity, and gender roles, contribute to child marriage practices.

Poverty and economic factors: Economic considerations, such as poverty and dowry system, can drive families to marry off their daughters at a young age, as it is perceived as a way to reduce financial burden and increase family security.

• Lack of education and awareness: Low levels of education and lack of awareness about the harmful effects of child marriage, including health risks, early pregnancy, and social repercussions, can contribute to the perpetuation of this practice.
• Gender discrimination: Gender discrimination and unequal power dynamics, where girls are often considered as burdens or liabilities, can lead to early marriage as a way to transfer the responsibility of girls to their husbands’ families.
• Limited enforcement of laws: Despite the legal age of marriage being 18, the enforcement of laws related to child marriage is often weak in some parts of Rajasthan, leading to a lack of accountability and continued practice of child marriage.
• Efforts to address child marriage:

There have been efforts by the government, civil society organizations, and communities to address the issue of child marriage in Rajasthan. These efforts include awareness campaigns, community mobilization, legal interventions, and providing support services such as education, healthcare, and skill-building programs to empower girls and their families.

Fight against Child Marriages

The fight against child marriages in the Rajasthan community, including among the Shaikh community, requires a multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders at different levels. Some of the key strategies and interventions to combat child marriages include:

1. Advocacy and policy interventions: Advocacy efforts are crucial in creating awareness, influencing policy changes, and promoting legal reforms to strengthen laws against child marriage. This includes engaging with policymakers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the harmful effects of child marriage and advocate for policies that protect the rights of children, particularly girls, and enforce penalties for those involved in child marriages.
2. Awareness and behavior change campaigns: Community-based awareness campaigns that target families, adolescents, and community members can play a crucial role in changing attitudes, behaviors, and social norms related to child marriage. These campaigns can use various mediums such as media, local influencers, community events, and grassroots mobilization to educate communities about the negative impacts of child marriage on health, education, and social well-being.
3. Empowering girls and families: Empowering girls and their families through education, skills development, and economic opportunities can be effective in delaying marriage and promoting alternatives to child marriage. This includes providing access to quality education, vocational training, and livelihood opportunities for girls and their families to break the cycle of poverty and dependency that often drives child marriage.
4. Strengthening enforcement of laws: Ensuring that existing laws related to child marriage are effectively enforced is crucial in preventing child marriages. This includes working with law enforcement agencies, judiciary, and other stakeholders to strengthen the implementation of laws, raise awareness about legal consequences, and hold those involved in child marriages accountable.
5. Support services for at-risk families and child brides: Providing support services such as healthcare, counseling, shelter, and legal assistance to at-risk families and child brides can play a critical role in preventing child marriages and protecting the rights of children. This includes setting up help lines, safe spaces, and rehabilitation programs to provide support and assistance to those at risk or affected by child marriage.
6. Engaging communities and religious leaders: Engaging communities, including religious and community leaders, in the fight against child marriage is crucial as they often play a significant role in influencing social norms and practices. Working with community leaders, engaging them in awareness campaigns, and promoting positive gender norms and practices can be effective in changing attitudes and behaviors related to child marriage.
7. Strengthening education and healthcare systems: Strengthening education and healthcare systems, including access to quality education and healthcare services, can contribute to delaying marriage and improving the well-being of girls. This includes ensuring access to school infrastructure, teachers, and healthcare facilities in rural and marginalized areas, where child marriage is more prevalent.

Combating child marriage requires a multi-faceted approach involving advocacy, awareness campaigns, empowering girls and families, strengthening enforcement of laws, providing support services, engaging communities and religious leaders, and strengthening education and healthcare systems. Collective efforts by government, civil society organizations, communities, and individuals are crucial in preventing child marriages and ensuring the well-being and rights of children, particularly girls, in the Rajasthan community and beyond.

CONCLUSION

Child marriage is a harmful practice that has detrimental effects on the well-being and rights of children, particularly girls, in the Rajasthan community, including the Shaikh community. It leads to early dropout from education, increased health risks, limited economic opportunities, and perpetuates gender inequality. However, efforts to combat child marriage have been made through various strategies and interventions.

Advocacy and policy interventions, awareness and behavior change campaigns, empowering girls and families, strengthening enforcement of laws, providing support services, engaging communities and religious leaders, and strengthening education and healthcare systems are some of the key strategies that have been employed to fight against child marriage in the Rajasthan community. These efforts aim to create awareness, change attitudes and behaviors, provide support and assistance, enforce laws, and empower girls and families to delay marriage and promote alternative options.

However, despite progress, challenges persist, including deeply entrenched social norms, poverty, and lack of access to education and healthcare, and limited enforcement of laws. Therefore, sustained efforts are needed to address these challenges and continue the fight against child marriage in the Rajasthan community and beyond. Collective efforts by Government, civil society organizations, communities, and individuals are crucial to prevent child marriages, protect the rights of children, particularly girls, and promote gender equality in the Rajasthan community and beyond.