A massive awareness campaign was organized in Maithili block today on the occasion of the holy Bahuda Yatra to completely eliminate child marriage and protect the rights of children. Under the direct supervision of Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Somnath Pradhan, a special campaign titled Child Marriage Free and Safe Child was launched with the joint support of the District Social Welfare Department, District Child Protection Department and Integrated Child Development Project, Maithili.
The campaign was planned keeping in mind the large gathering of devotees and general public from rural areas during Bahuda Yatra. The main objective of the program was to stop the evil practice of child marriage, which is rampant in rural areas, and to create awareness among the public about the safe future of children. Under this program, the public was informed about the social and health consequences of child marriage and its legal consequences through the campaign vehicle using microphones. In addition, posters and leaflets related to child protection were distributed to the people at the Yatra site and extensive information was provided about the emergency help numbers 1098 (Childline), 112 and 118. On this occasion, all the devotees and common citizens present took a collective pledge that they would not marry or allow child marriage. A special help desk was also set up at the Yatra site to provide immediate legal assistance and to deal with any complaints related to child protection. The message that the future of our children must be protected along with religion and culture will reach every home through this campaign vehicle, the divisional authorities said.
The entire awareness programme was successfully conducted by District Social Welfare Officer and District Protection Officer T. Jailaxmi. Among others, District Coordinator Meenakshi Pradhan, Gender Specialist Michel Raju, Bulu Khosla, Child Line Representative Abhi Peda and Senior Officer of District Child Protection Department Soumya Ranjan Swain were present and fully supported this social campaign. Through this awareness campaign, the administration has taken a decision to spread the message of not child marriage, but education of children and safe children, bright future to every level of society. Similarly, the Health and Education Department has also given the message through awareness chariots.
