Education: A Powerful Tool for Rohingya Girls to Combat Child Marriage

The Importance of Education: A Path to Empowerment for Rohingya Girls

Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, :
Haseena was just 9 years old when she was forced to drop out of school. Raised in a community where menstruation is still considered a taboo subject, her parents were deeply concerned about the possibility of her first period occurring while at school. They decided that it was best for her to stay at home instead of attending classes.

At the age of 12, just a year after reaching puberty, Haseena’s family proposed her marriage. Adult men, aged 20 and above, were invited to their homes as potential suitors.

“My parents never saw the value in my education. They told me I was already mature enough and of marriageable age, so there was no reason for me to continue my studies,” says Haseena, who is the eldest of seven siblings.

Unfortunately, Haseena’s story is far from unique, especially within the Rohingya community in Malaysia, which makes up 58% of the refugee population currently registered with UNHCR. In a similar case, Asha, a 14-year-old girl, was forced to quit school in 2023 when her parents deemed her “grown-up” enough to take on family responsibilities, but too old to continue her education.

Like Haseena, Asha, being the eldest child, is expected to help her mother with household chores while her father works to provide for the family. She is also expected to marry once she reaches adulthood.

“In our culture, women and girls are expected to stay at home, while boys and men are free to go wherever they wish,” says Asha, her voice tinged with regret as she gently rocks herself in a swing chair at the back of her family’s home.

Understanding the situation these girls face, the teachers at Sekolah Islamiyah, the school both Haseena and Asha attended, encouraged them to join Kuntum Sayang, an online learning platform that gives girls like Haseena and Asha a chance to continue their education and build better lives for themselves.

“We frequently encounter cases of girls as young as 9 being pulled out of school after reaching puberty, as their parents no longer want them to interact with boys,” explains Husna, a teacher at the school.

“To address this issue, we launched Kuntum Sayang, an educational initiative designed specifically for girls who are not permitted to attend school physically. The program is conducted entirely online and covers a broad range of subjects, including body awareness, understanding rights and responsibilities, environmental education, citizenship, and communication skills,” she adds.

Despite its noble intentions, Kuntum Sayang initially faced resistance from many parents when it was launched in 2021. It took Haseena over a year of persistent effort to convince her family to allow her participation, as she refused to marry at such a young age.

“Initially, we planned to hold in-person classes exclusively for girls. We even offered free transportation, yet the parents rejected the idea. Eventually, we moved the classes online, which was more acceptable to them,” says Husna.

Currently, three students, including Haseena and Asha, are enrolled in the program, with lessons conducted twice a week in the evenings. Almost three years since Kuntum Sayang was first launched, the program’s participation rate has fluctuated, with many girls marrying at an early age and shifting their focus to their new family responsibilities.

Child marriage remains a persistent issue in Malaysia, particularly among refugee communities like the Rohingya. Poverty and deeply ingrained social norms often leave families with no other option but to marry off their daughters in order to ease their burdens.

According to a report by the Malaysian Statistics Department, at least 1,500 children are victims of child marriage each year in the country. Alarmingly, many of these marriages, particularly within the refugee community, are neither registered nor documented.

Child marriage not only robs young girls of their childhood but also carries lifelong consequences, including increased vulnerability to sexual and domestic violence, as well as a higher risk of physical and mental health problems.

Despite these challenges, the teachers at Sekolah Islamiyah remain committed to helping girls like Haseena and Asha. The school frequently visits the girls’ homes to monitor their well-being. In return, the girls are determined to gain as much knowledge as possible to improve their futures.

“I really enjoy mathematics, and I hope to become a teacher one day,” Asha says, expressing her passion for the subject, which is shared by Husna, who has always been deeply dedicated to her students’ progress.

“I believe women and girls should have the same rights and opportunities as boys and men, especially when it comes to education and employment. My advice to other women and girls is: study hard and learn to love yourself before you love others,” says Haseena, speaking with conviction.

Names have been changed to protect the identities of the individuals.

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