Women and Child Development team rescues 83 minor children from marriage in two months

Success in preventing 386 child marriages in the financial year 2019-20,
action taken under the Child Marriage Prohibition Act

Working actively during the lockdown period by the Women and Child Development Department, in the last two months, 83 minor boys and girls of the state have been saved from marriage at a young age. The highest number of 41 cases are from Balodabazar district. Similarly, in the last financial year 2019-20, the Department of Women and Child Development has succeeded in stopping 386 child marriages. This team consists of Child Services personnel including the Legal Services Authority, Police. The help of Panchayat representatives and social persons is also taken.
    In every district, the team of Women and Child Development Department is more active during matrimonial season. For this, preparations are made to stop child marriage with coordinated efforts and social support. On getting information about child marriage, action is taken to stop child marriage by giving quick explanation to the family members. Necessary action is taken under the Child Marriage Prohibition Act in case of non-compliance or forced marriage by relatives. In the last financial year, 3 in Balod district, 22 in Balodabazar, 12 in Balrampur, 3 in Bastar, one each in Bemetra, Dantewada and Durg, 26 in Bilaspur, 7 in Dhamtari, 16 in Gariaband, 35 in Janjgir-Champa, Jashpur and 9 in Kawardha, 5 in Kanker, 4 in Kondagaon, 31 in Korba, 33 in Korea, 2 in Mahasamund, 2 in Mungeli, 11 in Mungeli, 6 in Raigad, 15 in Raipur, 25 in Rajnandgaon, 55 in Surajpur and 54 in Sarguja. Cases came up which the team stopped.
    Be aware that child marriage is a crime. This leads to violation of fundamental rights of children to get good health, nutrition and education and to avoid violence, harassment and exploitation. Under the Child Marriage Prohibition Act 2006, the age of girl is 18 years and the age of boy is 21 years for marriage. Action is also taken against the parents of the marriage, the relatives involved in the marriage and the pandit who is getting married, by registering a crime by the police department for getting married in the event of being less than the prescribed age. Under the Act, there is a provision of rigorous imprisonment of 02 years and fine of one lakh rupees or punished with both. In the Act, the District Officer of Women and Child Development Department has been declared as Child Marriage Prohibition Officer. Notice of child marriage subdivisional magistrate, police station, Anganwadi worker, sarpanch,