In the southern region of Madagascar, young girls are forced into marriage even before they are born.
In a traditional arranged marriage, a valuable and significant Zebu cow is often exchanged for a female adolescent as young as 13 years old.
Two organizations, UNICEF and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), are collaborating with local officials to provide education for both women and men. These sessions will focus on promoting positive masculinity and raising awareness about the harmful consequences of female equality.
I had a conversation with Lehilahy Modely, who participated in a session held in the village of Ifotaka, located in the Amboasary district of the Anosy region of Madagascar.
Today, I am present in a small gathering place in a village with approximately 30 other males. Our purpose is to gain insight and deliberate on the various forms of violence that are inflicted upon females of all ages.
I have a variety of images to pick from to depict the various forms of violence towards women by men. The image I selected portrays a man preparing to harm a woman, sparking a conversation about physical violence. Other images portray sexual, psychological, and economic violence, as well as child maltreatment.
A significant issue in my region is the intersecting problems of economic aggression and the exploitation of girls’ rights, starting from birth. Poor and vulnerable families often consent to trade their unborn daughters for a Zebu cow.
required to prove their maturity by domesticating a Zebu
The Zebu holds great significance in our culture, symbolizing wealth and social status. It plays a central role in various traditions, such as the rite of passage for boys in certain ethnic groups who must demonstrate their maturity by taming a Zebu.
In order to be recognized as a man in their society, individuals must first steal a cow. A type of cow called a Zebu is typically used in rituals to commemorate events such as births, circumcision ceremonies, death, and weddings.
Once a month, men gather to talk about gender matters and ways to respectfully interact with women.
It is prevalent in the southern region of Madagascar for teenage girls, some as young as 13, to be compelled to leave their families and marry much older men. The man they marry may already have multiple wives, as polygamy is also customary in this area.
Many young women who reject this agreement are often disavowed by their relatives due to the embarrassment it causes. In some instances, I have even heard of girls taking their own lives.
Culture and poverty
The man typically covers the expenses related to maternity for his young bride-to-be, and also provides financial support to the family until he formally receives her and gives a Zebu as a gift. This cultural practice is rooted in tradition, but is largely motivated by economic hardship.
I am deeply troubled by this and I sympathize greatly with these young women who have been robbed of their agency and are unable to live as children or attend school.
We have discussed this matter in our groups focused on promoting positive masculinity, and the majority of men recognize that they are responsible for instigating change as they are the ones perpetrating acts of violence and disruption.
Several of my acquaintances hold the belief that women are weak and delicate, and therefore do not treat them with proper respect or value their opinions. These same individuals mock me for prioritizing the welfare and rights of women, falsely labeling me as “controlled” by them. Despite my disagreement with their perspective, I have chosen to maintain my friendships with them.
The southern region of Madagascar is home to some of the country’s most at-risk communities.
Once a month, we gather in this group and discuss ways to report instances of violence towards children. These situations are directed to Centre Vonjy, a facility that offers comprehensive care to child victims of violence located in Fort Dauphin.
I have noticed that certain individuals acknowledge the need for a shift in our perspectives, starting to view women as equal to men in terms of rights. This mindset, in my opinion, will promote equality.
Alterations will not occur in the near future, however it is crucial for individuals to make an effort to put an end to this behavior which is deemed socially acceptable but is actually against the law.
Source: news.un.org
