58 child marriages prevented
Taluk-level workshop held for officers
Despite many awareness programmes, child marriage still remains a challenge. In K R Nagar taluk, timely intervention of officers helped prevent 58 child marriages in the year 2012, said ZP member C J Dwarkish.
Participating in a taluk-level workshop for the officers on the prevention of child marriage, by the department of women and child development at JSS Law College in the city, Dwarkish who is also a member of ZP standing committee for social justice said the department should continue with its awareness programmes. The owners of marriage halls should also be booked in case of such incidents. They should be instructed to rent the premises only after verifying the age of the bride.
Most importantly, the elected representatives should also be booked for organising mass marriages only for political benefits.
Principal of the college Prof K S Suresh said India accounts for 40 per cent of child marriages in the world.
Karnataka accounts for 46 per cent and Bihar at 76 per cent according to a survey by UNICEF.
Deputy director of child marriage prohibitory wing M Veena called the officers to vow for checking such incidents. Now, the awareness drive is also covering owners of marriage halls and also the temple priests.
A dedicated programme ‘Jeevana Mallige Arali Mellage’ is also being broadcast on AIR on every Friday and Saturday.
District health and family welfare officer Dr S M Malegowda spoke on ‘Prohibition of child marriage‘, Dr Komala on ‘Types of child marriages and its ill effects’, Prof K S Suresh on ‘Prohibition of Child Marriage Act- 2006 and regulations, role of 2008 and responsibilities’ and deputy director of woman and child development N R Vijay on ‘Rehabilitation of the victims of child marriage and related facilities’.
It was followed by group discussion under the leadership of lecturer B P Mahesh.
