From most of the the cases of under-age marriages cases that we so often hear or read about in newspapers and then just go back to whatever we were doing or even venting out out by typing an inconsequential status on facebook which might not even make a difference, while many would just toss the idea aside of even doing anything by giving an eternal excuse “ This has been happening for years, why would it change now.
Well if you are one of those who still care or even think about trying to change the present situation you’ll be delighted to know about a Documentary made by the Academy Award winner Megan Mylan who has previously made Documentaries like Smile Pinki or Lost boys Of Sudan is out with another one called After My Garden Grows.
Photo->Canadian High Commissioner
Canadian Embassy and Mumbai Mantra Media hosted a special screening of the Documentary for Delegates for second Annual Chapter of MenEngage Global Symposium.
The Short film focuses on a programme which is being run in West Bengal to educate and empower about 40,000 Girls and their parents about not getting their daughters married quickly and wait till their education is over or the girl themselves decide to.
Photo-> Monika
This documentary focuses on the life of Monika, one of the many such young girls who is a part of the programme who had leave school, but now has joined back and will be appearing for her 10th board exams and would be marrying after she has finished her education or when she wants to and even her parents support her now.
The way these families support themselves is by selling vegetables from their garden(hence the name), but now they know various methods which include composting and they all know better about the importance of nutrition.
What was surprising to see was that this programme is actually working!
We see that girls have groups which regularly meet and even talk about the laws which prevent marriages below 18 or even speaking about how they should carry on with their education.
The roots of such problem lies in the fact the there is unawareness among people in places which have not been educated and by education I don’t mean degrees but educating them of empowering girls and doing away with social evil.
The documentary is shot brilliantly capturing every emotion and essence that makes it even so enthralling giving you hope that yes the change is here, women empowerment will happen.
The Documentary will be releasing in PVR Cinemas on 14th of November on the occasion of Children’s Day.
Don’t miss it and tweet with a #GrowAGirl and tag @Aftermygarden to share your views.
