Брак по расчету на Мадагаскаре обычно предполагает обмен высоко ценимой здесь коровы зебу на девочек-подростков в возрасте 13 лет. В настоящее время два агентства ООН – ЮНИСЕФ и Фонд ООН в области народонаселения (ЮНФПА) – совместно с местными властями проводят занятия, на которых рассказывают об опасностях этой практики и о важности гендерного равноправия.
Лехилахи Модели стал участником одного из таких занятий в деревне Ифотака, на юге острова. Дэниел Дикинсон из Службы новостей ООН побеседовал с ним в преддверии Международного женского дня.
Служба новостей ООН/Д. Дикинсон
В небольшом деревенском доме собрались около 30 мужчин. Тема занятий – виды насилия, которому подвергаются женщины и девочки. Мужчины обсуждают изображения, описывающие различные проявления гендерного насилия.
«Я выбрал картинку, на которой изображен мужчина, собирающийся ударить женщину, – говорит Лехилахи. – А еще здесь есть картинки, отражающие сексуальное и психологическое насилие, а также жестокое обращение с детьми».
На Мадагаскаре традиционно практикуется так называемое экономическое насилие, а также нарушения прав девочек еще до их рождения. Бедные семьи соглашаются обменять свою нерожденную дочь на корову зебу.
Зебу – это признак богатства и респектабельности. Она находится в центре многих традиций; например, в некоторых этнических группах в качестве обряда посвящения в мужчины мальчиков заставляют украсть корову. Зебу обычно приносят в жертву в честь рождения, церемонии обрезания, смерти или брака.
Многие девочки-подростки на определенном этапе свой жизни вынуждены покинуть свою семью, став женой гораздо старшего по возрасту мужчины. У мужа могут быть и другие жены, поскольку на Мадагаскаре также практикуется полигамия. Девочки, которые отказываются от такого соглашения, изгоняются из семьи. Бывали случаи, когда подростки, попавшие в такое положение, кончали жизнь самоубийством.
«У девочек, по сути, нет выбора, – говорит Лехилахи. – Они не могут жить как обычные дети и ходить в школу. Сейчас я вижу, что некоторые мужчины признают, что мы должны изменить свое отношение и начать думать о том, что женщины имеют те же права, что и мы. Перемены не наступят завтра, но мужчины должны сделать все возможное, чтобы положить конец этой незаконной практике».
Simon Blake is an experienced journalist deeply interested in international affairs and global development. Having spent years reporting on humanitarian issues, he offers a unique perspective in his coverage of United Nations news.
In a small village house, about 30 men gathered. The topic of the classes is the types of violence that women and girls are subjected to. Men discuss images depicting various manifestations of gender-based violence. “I chose a picture of a man about to hit a woman,” says Lehilahi. “There are also images here reflecting sexual and psychological violence, as well as cruel treatment of children.” In Madagascar, so-called economic violence is traditionally practiced, as well as violations of girls’ rights even before they are born. Poor families agree to exchange their unborn daughter for a zebu cow. Zebu is a sign of wealth and respectability. It is central to many traditions; for example, in some ethnic groups, as a ritual for initiating boys into manhood, they are made to steal a cow. Zebu are usually brought…
In a small village house, around 30 men gathered. The topic of the sessions was the types of violence that women and girls are subjected to. The men discussed images depicting various forms of gender-based violence. “I chose a picture of a man about to hit a woman,” says Lehilahi. “There are also images here showing sexual and psychological violence, as well as cruel treatment of children.” Economic violence is traditionally practiced in Madagascar, as well as violations of girls’ rights even before they are born. Poor families agree to exchange their unborn daughter for a zebu cow. Zebu is a sign of wealth and respectability. It is central to many traditions; for example, in some ethnic groups, as part of a ritual to initiate boys into men, they are forced to steal a cow. Zebu are usually brought into
Could you provide more information on how the UN agencies are addressing the issue of child marriages in Madagascar?
Dear Emily Smith, the UN agencies, UNICEF and UNFPA, are actively working in collaboration with local authorities to conduct sessions addressing the dangers of the practice of exchanging young teenage girls for prized zebu cows in arranged marriages on Madagascar. These sessions serve to educate communities on the importance of gender equality and the risks associated with child marriages. Initiatives like these are crucial steps towards combating this harmful tradition and protecting the rights of young girls. John Park
In a small village house, about 30 men gathered. The topic of the session is the types of violence that women and girls are subjected to. The men are discussing images depicting various forms of gender violence. “I chose a picture of a man about to hit a woman,” says Laura. “There are also images here reflecting sexual and psychological violence, as well as cruel treatment of children.” In Madagascar, so-called economic violence is traditionally practiced, as well as violations of girls’ rights even before they are born. Poor families agree to exchange their unborn daughters for a zebu cow. Zebu is a symbol of wealth and respectability. It is central to many traditions; for example, in some ethnic groups, as part of a ritual initiation into manhood, boys are forced to steal a cow. Zebu is usually brought to
In a small village house, about 30 men gathered to discuss various forms of gender-based violence against women and girls. The men are examining images depicting different manifestations of gender-based violence. “I chose a picture of a man preparing to hit a woman,” says Lehilahi. “There are also images here reflecting sexual and psychological violence, as well as cruel treatment of children.” Economic violence is traditionally practiced in Madagascar, as well as violations of girls’ rights even before they are born. Poor families agree to exchange their unborn daughters for a zebu cow. Zebu is a symbol of wealth and respectability, central to many traditions; for example, in some ethnic groups, as part of a ritual initiation into manhood, boys are forced to steal a cow. Zebu are usually brought…
In a world where girls are seen as commodities for exchange, it’s crucial to educate communities on the dangers of such practices and promote gender equality. The efforts by UNICEF and UNFPA in Madagascar are commendable in addressing these issues.
In a small village house, about 30 men gathered. The theme of the sessions is the types of violence that women and girls face. Men discuss images depicting various manifestations of gender violence. “I chose a picture of a man about to hit a woman,” says Lehilahi. “There are also pictures here reflecting sexual and psychological violence, as well as cruel treatment of children.” In Madagascar, so-called economic violence is traditionally practiced, as well as violations of girls’ rights even before they are born. Poor families agree to exchange their unborn daughters for a zebu cow. Zebu is a sign of wealth and respectability. It is central to many traditions, for example, in some ethnic groups, as a ritual to initiate boys into manhood, they are forced to steal a cow. Zebu is usually offered in…
In a small village house, about 30 men gathered. The topic of discussion was the various forms of violence that women and girls face. The men were discussing images depicting different forms of gender-based violence. “I chose a picture of a man preparing to hit a woman,” said Lehilahi. “There are also images here reflecting sexual and psychological violence, as well as cruel treatment of children.” Economic violence and violations of girls’ rights are traditionally practiced in Madagascar even before their birth. Poor families agree to exchange their unborn daughters for a zebu cow. Zebu is a symbol of wealth and respectability, central to many traditions; for example, in some ethnic groups, as a rite of passage into manhood, boys are made to steal a cow. Zebu is usually presented as a sign of
What specific actions are the UN agencies taking to address the issue of child marriages in Madagascar? Are there any legislative efforts being made alongside these educational programs?