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Friday, March 29 2024
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Bagalkot

‘Surakshini’ initiative prevents many child marriages in Bagalkot

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Bagalkot: Concerned with the increasing cases of child marriage in the district, the Zilla Panchayat had decided to take a tough call and initiate projects to curb this unlawful practice.

In this regard, the district has launched ‘Project Surakshini’, an initiative to reduce child marriages.

The project has so far, appears to have yielded positive results with the administration preventing around 100 child marriages in the last seven months.

“In the last three years a staggering 244 complaints regarding child marriage have been received. Of these 58 complaints received in the financial year 2019-20, the number almost doubled up next year, that is, in 2020-21 as the authorities received 113 complaints and in the year 2021-22 (since April) 73 complaints have been recorded,” according to the Department of Women and Child Welfare (DWCW).

However, with the timely intervention of the authorities concerned, of the total 244 complaints as many as 225 marriages have been prevented, only in 15 cases FIR have been registered and in remaining 19 cases marriages happened but the authorities took an affidavit from the parents.

In order to educate and create awareness among rural areas – ZP has launched ‘Project Surakshini’ in November 2020. Since then, not even a single child marriage has been reported. This initiative mainly works on fighting this social evil.  It is the first of its kind initiative in the state in preventing child marriages.

The Balvikas Samithis, which are established at the Anganwadi level, and Balya Vivaha Nisheda Samitis, which are established at Gram Panchayat levels, to create awareness, remained inactive. After the launch of this initiative both these groups have become proactive and are creating awareness on a large scale about child marriages and other evil practices. Even headmasters and teachers have been roped in this initiative to observe the vulnerable child in schools and work on motivating such students to continue their education.

ZP CEO T Bhoobalan, pointed that, “Bagalkot is one of the districts in the state, where child marriage cases are reported frequently. To make an holistic approach towards prevention of child marriages as well as protection and rehabilitation of child marriage victims – coordinating with departments concerned Project Surakshini has been launched.”

“The main reasons for increase in child marriages are poverty, lower status given to girls and considering them as financial burden and religious and historical practices. The child marriage puts the lives of girls under health risks like childbearing in early stages. It also leads to the highest rates of maternal and child mortality. In order to address all these issues we are working closely with the rural areas in the district.”

“This initiative stands out different from other projects because we not only prevent or rescue children but follow up the child marriage victims until they get mature. A portal has been created under this initiative which keeps track of the child till she/he attains 18 years of age. After rescuing the victims, a platform will also be provided to continue the education and develop new skills in their interested fields. We are monitoring around 100 children under this initiative. We aim to bring down child marriages gradually in the district,” stated CEO Bhoobalan.

Welcoming this initiative, Vasudev Sharma, a social activist says that it is a good move by ZP Bagalkot. We have to try different methods in preventing child marriages. This project might not work in other regions but the authorities have to keep trying indigenous methods. It is not just girls, even boys should be educated about child marriages. The government should also work on improving the livelihood of the women with improving education infrastructure and job opportunities in rural areas,” opined Sharma.    

Applauding these efforts of Zilla Panchayat, Minister for Women and Child Welfare Shashikala Jolle assured of launching this project in all the districts. She also officially launched this project in May.   

 

 

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