Campaign against Child Marriage begins
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 12 2022: One month awareness campaign against child marriage was launched on Saturday at Mekola Panchayat hall.

Launch function of the programme organised jointly by Child Welfare Committee, Gram Panchayat, local clubs, SHGs and Mekola Leimakol Multi-Industrial Cooperative Society Ltd was attended by 64 participants including children, parents, CBO's leaders, SHGs and PRI members, etc.

The campaign aims to encourage families to condemn the harmful practice of child marriage and support every single girl's and boy's dream to achieve their aspirations and to help advance the objectives of SDG 2030, said a release, adding that the launch function was attended by Kodompokpi GP pradhan Th Nandakumar Singh, Lairenjam Meijrao GP pradhan T Manglemba Singh, programme manager Asossii Loli and Imphal West Child Welfare Committee chairman Yh Rajkishore Singh as presidium members.

Delivering the keynote address, Asosii Loli said that 40 per cent of the world's 60 million child marriages take place in India according to the National Family Health Survey.

At least 1.5 million girls get married before 18 years each year in the country.

With the view to end child fnarriage, World Vision India is launching awareness campaign against child marriage from November 14, 2021 to September 28, 2021 in three phases, he said and appealed to all the participants to take pledge in their respective family, community and the state level to prevent child marriage.

Speaking about its impact in the Manipuri society, Th Rajkishore pointed out that love marriage (elopement) and social media platforms are some of the major contributing factors for rising cases of child marriages in the state.

He also spoke on UNCRC, POCSO, IPC, rape and punishment of child marriage and opined that it is the right time to check and discourage children from misuses of smart phone.

In their speeches, T Manglemba called upon public and local bodies to alert officials concerned to stop child marriage while Th Nandakishore stressed that children must be given a place to stay and learn instead of marrying them off.

All the participants and dignitaries vowed to collect pledges from intending candidates in the ensuing election to prevent child marriage, the release added.

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