Vijayawada: Girls told to put an end to child marriages, get back to school

Vijayawada: It is the responsibility of everyone to put an end to child marriages to confirm a bright future for the girls, said Vasireddi Padma, chairperson of Andhra Pradesh State Mahila Commission while addressing a webinar jointly organised by the Canadian Consulate and the non-governmental organisations Children Believe and Social Action for Rural Development Society (SARDS) on Monday.

Padma said that the State government was committed for the empowerment of women and girls and the introduction of various historical welfare schemes like Amma Vodi, Vidya Kanuka and Vasati Deevena and others were an example for it.

She said that the Mahila Commission is undertaking advocacy against child marriages with the coordination and cooperation of various voluntary service organisations. She released a wall poster giving a clarion call to send girls to schools.

Canadian Consulate GENERAL Nicole Girard addressing the webinar stated that Canada would provide help for the safety and security of women and girl children. She called upon the government and the non-government agencies to coordinate and cooperate to make the advocacy against the child marriage a grand success.

Additional SP CID KGV Sarita said that it was disheartening that we are discussing the child marriages even after 70 years of independence. She said that the police department is determined to put an end to the child marriages since it is very important for the development of girl child.

Valaparla Samata, member of Bala Panchayat, speaking on behalf of the girl children of the State, said that the girls have become brave after the introduction of Disha Act. She called upon the girls to shed silence and talk boldly about their problems. They should be in schools not anywhere else, she said.

Children Believe, national director Annabelle, Mahila Commission member Tammisetti Ramadevi, Mahila Commission director R Suez, senior programme officer Lavanya, AP Pro-Child Group convener D Roshan Kumar, P Francis Tambi were also present. V Pranati, Pravallika, Chaitra and Sirisha, all members of Bala Panchayat also participated. Ravi Sunil Kumar, director of SARDS, coordinated the webinar.