Poverty, illiteracy major causes of child marriages: Vasireddy

Vijayawada: State Women' Commission chairperson Vasireddy Padma observed that backwardness, illiteracy and poverty were the major factors behind the practice of child marriages, in which India tops according to a recent report by Unicef. She participated as the chief guest in a workshop on prevention of child marriages organised by Mahita Foundation in a hotel here on Tuesday.

Praising the active role being played by NGOs in fight against the child marriages, she said religious heads and elders in society could play a key role in preventing them. Most of the marriages for people below 18 years of age, happen due to financial problems and economic inequality.

Stating that child marriages in the state were a cause for concern, she said that children, mainly girls, suffer a lot owing to the marriage in a very young age. She suggested that education among girls should be encouraged and people should take the help of religious heads and elders in this regard.

Giving details of government welfare schemes, Padma said the state government was implementing various schemes like Amma Vodi, fee reimbursement to encourage education to all. She assured that the government would support eradication of child marriages in all aspects and one should not feel that upbringing girl child is burdensome to the family.