Mass pledge plan to stop child marriages in panchayats
BHUBANESWAR: On the occasion of National Girl Child Day on Sunday, the government plans to host a series of events to create awareness regarding the value of a girl child. On the day, members of panchayati raj institutions (PRI) will take mass pledge to ensure there is zero child marriage case in panchayats.
This day is celebrated to commemorate and recognise efforts towards increasing value of girl child and empowering them with knowledge and skill so that they can fulfil their potential and lead a life of dignity. The National Girl Child Week is also observed between January 24 and 30.
“The state is working to improve health, nutrition, education and well-being of girls. To mark the event, a district-level function may be organized to promote the rights of girls and create an enabling environment that helps secure space and prevents violence,” wrote Aravind Agrawal, director of ICDS and social welfare, women and child development, and Mission Shakti department, in a letter to district collectors.
The districts may conduct activities like talent search, awareness rallies, campaigns, recognize outstanding girls, anganwadi workers, panchayats, police personnel and others for good practices and contribution towards prohibition of child marriage, gender discrimination and gender-based violence. The director stated that at least one community-based event should be organised in each AWC (anganwadi centre) towards safety, security and care of girls. He also urged the director of panchayati raj and drinking water department to organize a special gram sabha on January 26 on the theme ‘moving towards child marriage-free panchayats’.