Still, in the 21st century, girls are married out early because of cultural and religious convenience. They are locked in self-afflicting slavery of cultural and religious inclination that has persistently fostered a lack of clear sustainable, equal access to education, retention, and completion. The overall consequences of such endeavours lead to a low-level human development index in the countries where such practices exist. It breeds poverty, illiteracy, overpopulation, and a high infant mortality ratio.

Early school leaving is often among the most damaging after-effects of early marriage and pregnancy among girls. A pregnant schoolgirl must undergo an abortion, which is usually illegal and unsafe in the Global South or stop her school if she decides to keep the pregnancy. Girls who had the opportunity to enrol in school often record irregular attendance due to domestic demands and not prioritising their education. They are most likely to repeat years, drop out early and fail critical subjects that will deny them a transition to higher education.

Project 5 million girls – Emancipation through reading and discussing culture is a project that intends to use books from several cultural contexts to share experiences and raise girls’ consciousness. Using the grassroots community approach to enlighten women and girls on their fundamental human rights reinforces their courage to challenge the foundational and societal pressure limiting their educational chance