‘Child marriage-free India’ campaign announced in TN
The campaign was kickstarted by the Social Welfare and Women Department along with Kailash Satyarthi’s Children’s Foundation (KSCF).
CHENNAI: Discussing the State-wise consultation with various stakeholders, both from the government and private sectors, child marriage-free India was officially announced in the city on Monday.
The State consultation was held to mobilise all stakeholders of child protection to move together and help the realisation of child marriage-free India. The campaign was kickstarted by the Social Welfare and Women Department along with Kailash Satyarthi’s Children’s Foundation (KSCF).
In the discussion with nearly 25 stakeholders, appointment of child marriage prohibition officer (CMPO), strict FIR filing in cases of child marriage, incentivisation of parents to not indulge in child marriage and methods to dismantle patriarchy and casteism, which are root cause of child marriage were discussed.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in last three years, there has been a rapid increase of child marriages in Tamil Nadu. From 46 cases in 2019 to 169 cases in 2021, the State witnessed a sharp surge in cases.
Further, 2011 Census reported, 3.8 lakh children were married off before attaining the legal age of marriage in the State. It seems there has been under-reporting of child marriage cases and non-registration of such crimes.
Speaking at the event, C Jim Jesudoss, Child Rights Practitioners said, “Though there are many policies in place to stop a crime, the intention to prohibit the crime is lacking among everyone. Policies are taken at a pinch of salt at the ground level and importantly, police themselves are hesitant to stop cultural norms.”
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