Namsai, August 15, 2023: In a significant academic achievement, Fr Pudussery John SDB has successfully defended his doctoral thesis at the Arunachal University of Studies in Namsai. The thesis titled “A Study on Early Marriage and Girl Dropouts among the Nyishi Tribe in the Kra Daadi District of Arunachal Pradesh” sheds light on a critical issue affecting the Nyishi community.
Fr Pudussery’s research delves into the intertwined problems of early marriage and girl dropouts among the Nyishi tribe, particularly in the Kra Daadi district of Arunachal Pradesh. His comprehensive study reveals a complex web of factors contributing to these issues, including poverty, inadequate education, cultural norms, and prevailing social attitudes.
The research, guided by Sr. (Dr.) Philomina M.J., Assistant Professor at Gandhigram University, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, Department of Education, is expected to have far-reaching implications for policymakers, researchers, and activists working to combat these challenges.
One of the noteworthy findings of the study highlights the pivotal role of educated mothers in influencing positive outcomes for their children. It was observed that families with well-educated mothers tend to have better-educated girl children, and instances of early marriages are notably lower in these households.
Fr Pudussery’s research sheds light on the alarming trend of early marriages taking place within the school-going age, with girls as young as 13 or 14 being forced into marriage and subsequently dropping out of school. The study underscores the urgent need to empower girl children as a key driver for the overall development of the Nyishi tribe.
During the course of his research, Fr Pudussery conducted interviews with women who had experienced early marriages. The insights gleaned from these conversations revealed several aspirations and desires of the community. Women expressed a strong desire for their girl children to receive quality education, delay marriages until the age of 23, eradicate the practice of polygamy, participate in adult literacy classes, and put an end to forced marriages disguised as cultural norms.
Fr Pudussery’s study serves as a wake-up call to society, policymakers, scholars, and student organizations, urging them to recognize the importance of empowering girl children. The findings emphasize that investing in the education and well-being of girls is an investment in the future of the tribe. The study also advocates for a paradigm shift away from regressive cultural practices that perpetuate early marriages and gender inequalities.
This pioneering research by Fr Pudussery John SDB resonates with the Nyishi community and beyond, offering a path toward a brighter and more equitable future for the region’s girl children.
(IND Webmaster)
