The second episode of Nehad’s Stories TV program, in its sixth season, included the story of a girl named ‘Touna’, who was deprived of education due to early marriage.
Nehad Abolkomsan, presenter of the program, senior lawyer, and chair of the Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights (ECWR), affirmed that early marriage is a crime against girls and society as a whole, as it results in children responsible for raising other children. As a result, we have weak generations that are unable to make any sound decisions. Early marriage eliminates the girl’s future and her ambition.
Ms. Abolkomsan advised families to pay attention to girls ’education, and to support them when they appear to be distinguished, by pushing them find appropriate work. Education and work make girls strong personalities who are able to choose and make the right decisions. Therefore, when they get married they can build a strong family, manage their marital life successfully, and raise strong children.
The episode featured the campaign video “No to Child Marriage” produced by Plan International Egypt, as part of its efforts to support and empower girls. Furthermore, an infographic on the effects of early marriage on girls was shown. It referred to statistics produced by the National Council for Motherhood and Childhood, which indicated that 63% of girls who marry before the age of 18, drop out of education, and 50% of girls who married before the age of 18 have been subjected to violence from their partner. Ms. Nehad necessitated that the law should protect girls even from their families who are convinced of their early marriage.
In the inspiring personalities segment, Nehad Abolkomsan hosted Dina Ragab from Fayoum, who took it upon herself to enlighten and educate her community, to confront school dropout and early marriage, through her work in civil society. She launched initiatives to curb early marriage within her community, in which this crime is widespread. She confirmed that many families marry off their daughters early to get rid of the burden of spending money on them, which results in many problems for girls. Dina launched a number of awareness seminars and conducted home visits to the families of girls to educate families about the dangers of early marriage, and the importance of their education. Dina also advised families that education is a safety net for the girl and her family.
The episode ended with the segment of answering audience questions that get sent to the program.
“Hekayat Nehad” (Nehad’s Stories) is a television program which tackles women’s rights through simplifying knowledge and information produced by civil society, that is related to the empowerment of women in all political, economic, social and legal fields, as well as reducing violence. It is based on the simple act of conversation, exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as interacting with the audience through questions.
The program is shown on the Al Kahera Wal Nas TV channel every Saturday at 05:30 pm and is replayed on Al Kahera Wal Nas 1 every Monday at 11:30 am. and on TV channel Al Kahera Wal Nas 2 every Wednesday at 09:00 pm.
