No letup in child marriage in Odisha despite legal embargo
Despite legal embargo, the abhorrent practice of child marriage goes unabated in Odisha with solemnization of over 8,000 such wedding in the State in the last eight years.
Despite legal embargo, the abhorrent practice of child marriage goes unabated in Odisha with solemnization of over 8,000 such wedding in the State in the last eight years.
The Odisha Government has conferred the status of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) on the gram panchayat functionaries besides matrons and warden of Scheduled Tribes & Scheduled Caste Development Department’s residential school hostels
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.
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.
The NFHS-5 field survey in the State was conducted from 19 January 2020 to 21 March 2020 prior to the lockdown and from 30 November 2020 to 31 March 2021 in the post-lockdown. The survey was conducted under the stewardship of Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR). The surveyors had gathered data from 26,467 households, 27,971 women, and 3,865 men, according to officials.
The number of child marriages in Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Mayurbhanj, Koraput, Keonjhar, Gajapti are more pronounced than the rest of the State, the officials concluded.
The proposed legislation would raise the minimum marriage age from 14 to 16 and limit the age difference between a 16-year-old and their spouse to four years.
