Campaign against child marriages held

Vijayawada: Girls Advocacy Alliance (GAA) has organised a campaign with religious heads to prevent child marriages and child trafficking.The meeting was organised by Mahita Plan International at Forum for child Rights office here on Monday.

Krishna District Child Welfare Committee (CWC) member Safavi Syeda was the chief guest at the programme. She said marriage registration Act was good but poor in implementation. She felt there was need to create awareness of marriage registration. People remember only when there was a marriage dispute. She said marriage registration certificate was a proof and evidence when disputes arise. Chandrana Pelli Kanuka was a good initiative to prevent child marriages as parents have to wait for the girl to attain 18 years, she said.

Mahita coordinator Gode Prasad said the district stands first in child marriages which was not a good sign for the development of the nation. He said most of the marriages would take place without the consent of the girls. 

He said that child marriages had been reduced drastically after implementing right to education up to Class X. But early marriage between 16 and 18 years was still on the rise as the girls in rural areas were idle after completing Class X, he added.

Religious leaders, Purohiths, Khajis and pastors promised that they would not  solemnise marriages below legal age of 18 years for girl and 21 years for boy.

A Malyadri, state secretary, KVPS (CPM), Afsar, state secretary from minorities (CPI), A Ramesh, Childline coordinator, Chendra Shekhar from Gold organisation, Bharat from NGO, Nagamma, Jyothi of Dalit Bhajujan Resource Center, Baby Ran, Adam, Prakash of Brids, Venkatesh Vanam were present.