Kakching: An awareness program on the theme “Child Marriage Free Gram Panchayat” was held as part of the ongoing Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) awareness campaign at the Keirak Keithel Lampak Community Hall in Kakching district.
The awareness program was organised with an aim to strengthen grassroots efforts to eliminate child marriages and protect children’s rights by the Office of the District Programme Officer of the ICDS Cell led by N. Parango Singh, under the supervision of the District Administration Kakching.
Resource person of the program, Advocate Kshetrimayum Sarankumari Devi, Panel Lawyer of the Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) spoke on the central theme “Child Marriage Free Gram Panchayat.” In her address, she elaborated on the issue of child marriage, stating that it remains a social and legal concern with long-term consequences.
She informed that under the law, the minimum legal age of marriage is 18 years for girls & 21 years for boys and any marriage conducted below the prescribed age is a punishable offence under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA). She also highlighted detailed legal provisions which are available for such cases.
She informed the gathering about CHILDLINE 1098, a toll-free 24-hour emergency helpline service for children in distress. She stated that complaints can be made anonymously and immediate intervention can be sought through the helpline to prevent child marriage and protect children at risk. The advocate also highlighted the importance of reporting cases of child marriage and child rights violations.
On the other hand, M. Bimola Devi, Supervisor of the ICDS project, briefed the gathering on the various services provided under the Integrated Child Development Services. Around 80 participants attended the awareness programme. (DIO)
