 Early Times Report
UDHAMPUR, Jan 15: Under the supervision and guidance of the Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, and District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Ms. Kanika Gupta, the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), in coordination with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), organised an extensive awareness programme under the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (BVMB) campaign at Block Udhampur.
The awareness drive covered four wards of Block Udhampur with the objective of sensitising the community about the prevention of child marriage, legal provisions under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and the importance of safeguarding children's rights.
During the programme, officials from DCPU along with the Chairperson of the CWC interacted with Panchayat representatives, parents, teachers, Anganwadi workers, adolescents and community members. They highlighted the harmful physical, emotional and social consequences of child marriage and informed participants that marriage below 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys is illegal and punishable under law.
The teams also emphasised the crucial role of Panchayati Raj Institutions, parents and community leaders in identifying vulnerable children and promptly reporting any instances or suspicion of child marriage to the authorities. Participants were further made aware of the support systems and services available through the CWC and DCPU for children in need of care and protection.
The programme concluded with a call for collective community action to ensure a child-marriage-free society and to uphold the rights and well-being of every child. |
