From Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, Bucha Ramanamma escaped from being forcefully married off at the age of 14 years. Sharing her story during the launch of ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign here today, she said that her parents worked as daily wagers and they led a hand to mouth life.
Speaking at the launch of Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (Child Marriage-Free India), a new campaign by her ministry, she called child marriage a grave violation of human rights and a criminal offense.
The Supreme Court on Friday suggested the parliament to consider outlawing child betrothals which may be used to evade penalty under the PCMA.
According to police, an underage girl was married in the Patharkandi subdivision of the Karimganj district.
Phulowar Hussain of Jordanga village allegedly married a 13-year-old girl from Chirakhowa village in South Salmara-Mankachar three years ago.
Kanchan, who was facing the brunt of child marriage for the past 11 years, got real freedom on Friday as…
The girl's parents had sold girl for Rs 40,000 and received an advance of Rs 20,000, with remaining amount to be handed over to them after the wedding.
Overall, Unicef estimates that 640 million girls and women living today were married off before they turned 18. Post the Covid-19 pandemic, when poor families were driven to destitution, young girls were married off by many families to reduce their burdens. Indeed, poverty has been identified as a major factor responsible for such marriages, while the other is the impact of climate change.
The chief minister said that the Assam government is discussing bringing a new law in the state against Child Marriage and that the state government's drive against Child Marriage will continue.
Social Welfare Department officials would be directed to conduct proper awareness among families against child marriages.
