Copy this Collection- What are three to six key points or impressions that you will take away from these stories? A major point that I have taken away from these stories is the fact that there are drastic measures being taken against child marriages in both Malawi and Guatemala. For example, there is a coalition of girl-focused groups to lobby lawmakers in Guatemala to raise the marriage age to 18 as well as the formulation of by-laws which aim to ban marriages before the age of 18 and to annul existing marriages of persons under 18 in Malawi. However, I have also gained a better understanding of just how how child marriage rates are in both of these countries. In Guatemala, for example, nearly 1 in 3 girls marries before she turns 18 and in Malawi 1 out of 2 girls marries before the age of 18. Another huge take away I have gained from these stories are how early some of these children marry, some as early as 12 years old.
- Write a 200-word reflection that engages, analyzes, critiques, expands upon, and/or questions what you read or listened to. After reading the stories involving child marriages in Malawi and Guatemala, I have learned a great deal about the issues that arise from these marriages as well as various measures that are being taken to combat them. I believe that many Americans do not realize the extent of certain issues that exist in countries beyond our own, it is extremely important for us to use platforms that exist in our nation to spread awareness and enact change to put an end to these issues. After reading the stories, I have a much better understanding of the stereotypes that exist among individuals in the society. Stereotypes on gender roles, that assume women do house work and care for children and men farm and work outside the home for salaries, largely contribute to high rates of child marriage. The mentor-based programs discussed in the story aim to help girls build self-esteem and devise life plans beyond marriage by educating them and the community on women rights as well as the risks associated with child marriage. I believe that proper education and discussion about issues that result from child marriages in these countries would be extremely beneficial to combating the issues themselves. I believe that if education regarding subjects such as sex and equality were mandatory in school systems, it would be even more beneficial at reshaping social norms about girls’ value than the Abriendo program discussed in the story regarding child marriages in Guatemala. The Kachindamoto strategy, which is a formulation of by-laws that aims to ban and annul child marriages, that was implemented in Malawi is a step in the right direction. I believe that policy change and education is the quickest, most effective way to bring child marriage to an end.
- Share your reflections on your experience reading, watching or listening to the solutions journalism stories. Did you learn new information; gain new understanding; see things with a different perspective than you had in the past? Did the stories reinforce an idea or thought you'd previously had? Did you meet new people, or learn about opportunities you were previously unaware of? As I reflect upon the readings involving child marriages in Malawi and Guatemala, I have come to the realization of just how unaware and uneducated I have been on these issues. I have a much better understanding about the severity and prevalence of child marriage. For example, 1 in 3 women were married before the age of 15 around the world, and these girls are much less likely to stay in school, and much more likely to experience pregnancy and childbirth complications, domestic violence and have stillborn births. Prior to reading these stories, I was under the impression that majority of children that married were unwillingly forced into these marriages. I now realize, however, that most of these marriages are a result from stereotypes, poverty, social norms as well as improper education regarding women's rights and reproductive health. Gender roles in these countries assume that women do house work and care for children and men farm and work outside the home for salaries. Stereotypes like these largely contribute to high rates of child marriage. The Kachindamoto strategy, which is the formulation of by-laws which aim to ban marriages before the age of 18 and to annul existing marriages of persons under 18 in Malawi, was implemented by a female chief in Malawi who has taken drastic measures to fight childhood marriages. Her efforts have lead to much success, such as the annulment of 850 marriages in her area in the past three years. she is a major inspiration. In addition, the Abriendo Oportunidades program, discussed in the story regarding child marriages in Guatemala, is a coalition of girl-focused groups to lobby lawmakers to raise the marriage age to 18. This program has seen much success in Guatemala.
- Were there other stories this week that you’d like to give an “honorable mention” -- that you enjoyed, but were not your top choice to share? The story that I’d like to give an honorable mention to is “Amazing New Process Treats Wastewater, Captures Carbon and Makes Renewable Energy”. This story talks about a treatment method, known as Microbial Electrolytic Carbon Capture (MECC), which purifies wastewater in an environmentally-friendly fashion by using an electrochemical reaction that absorbs more CO2 than it releases while simultaneously creating renewable energy. The method could potentially transform emission-heavy industries. The treatment system, if successful, would also be extremely beneficial at helping offset the effects of ocean acidification, which is a major threat that we are facing in today’s society.
- What else would you like to share? I am extremely impressed with SolutionsU and I believe that it is an extremely useful tool. Even after reading a few stories, I feel that my knowledge on these social and environmental issues, and potential solutions that are aimed at combating them, has been broadened to a large degree. I feel that it is vital for individuals to be educated about social and environmental issues that exist around the world as well as being informed about what solutions are in place for them.
Collection
Greta, Carter, Week 7 Collection.
Greta Carter
Student (NOT Journalism School)
