Administration lax towards child marriages, say girls

It is the responsibility of the society to provide a protective environment to children and we have to work together for this

JAIPUR: Young girls from Rajasthan, Odisha and Bihar on Monday shared experiences regarding child marriage, saying that the administration sometimes did not respond after complaints and security was a major concern for informers.

The girls told administration officials present that sometimes the administration was not responsive to complaints of child marriage. They said the police talks to families and tries to convince them against child marriage but many families still get child marriages conducted in secrecy.

They said security is a big issue for that those whose child marriage is stopped and those who inform about such marriages.

The young girls from different parts of Odisha, Bihar and Rajasthan participated in the state convention on ‘Child Marriage and Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights’. The conven

SANGEETA BENIWAL, chairperson, Rajasthan State Child Protection Commission

tion was organized by the women and child development department, the National Adolescent Health Programme and Save the Children.

Sangeeta Beniwal, chairperson of the Rajasthan State Child Protection Commission, said that children will have to be aware and alert about exploitation and violence and raise their voices against injustice.

“It is the responsibility of the society to provide a protective environment to children and we have to work together for this. We can only end child marriages if we all work together,” said Beniwal.

Naresh Thakral, mission director, national health mission said child marriage takes away the right to life of children and puts responsibilities on them that are beyond their years. “A life gets entangled in poor health and poverty. We have to educate society about the ill-effects of child marriage. Education can be a big tool for change,” he said.

Child Rights department commissioner Veena Pradhan said the number of child marriages taking place has reduced but they have not entirely stopped. “We have to talk to communities on this issue. Through joint efforts of the community and government, we can eradicate child marriage from make Rajasthan,” she said.

Dr Vijendra Singh of the State Child Protection Commission and Arvind Ojha of Girls not Brides, Dr Meeta Singh, Dr Narendra Gupta and others also shared their experiences and answered questions put up by the girls.