Nayagarh: Despite implementation of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme with sanction of funds to the tune of lakhs and awareness drives organised by the government to check underage marriages and female foeticide, child marriages are still rampant in Nayagarh district.
As per reports, Childline has foiled as many as 205 child marriages in the district in the last two years. This shows the lack of awareness and faulty enforcement of the laws regarding child marriage.
On the other hand, there are instances of rescued minor girls who are sent to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) by the Childline getting married again on the same day after their release from the CWC. In the last two years, there are 32 such cases where the minor girls are again married post-rescue. Unofficial sources say that the true number of child marriages in the district is around 500 to 1,500 in a year.
Notably, in the two years from January 2021 to January 2023, 205 illegal weddings of minors have been halted. With the failure of the district administration to check the practice, locals have alleged that its efforts are limited to just speeches and meetings.
It is pertinent to mention here that an oath-taking programme led by the then-district collector had been organised May 22, 2022, with the collaboration of the district administration and Action Aid in view of the rising cases of underage marriages.
This was thought to be a part of the ‘Say no to child marriage and yes to school’ programme running in the whole district by the collaboration. SHGs, Anganwadi workers, teenagers in the panchayat level, members of the SHG association, supervisors, CDPO in the block levels and the district level officials had joined the drive. But media persons were not invited to these meetings.
The Collector has expressed his disappointment over the rampant child marriages many times and directed to enforce the laws strictly but in vain. In this regard, lawyer Amiya Patnaik of Manikagoda says that there is a need to change the legal structure meant for checking child marriages.
Those involved in this illegal practice should be put behind bars and cases should be registered against them. He further added that the media should always be made a part of the awareness meetings and programmes being held regarding the issue.
Stressing that the process of registration for marriage should be adhered to mandatorily, social activist Usharani Patnaik said that registration of marriages will help stop underage marriages to a great extent adding that support needs to come from every sphere of the programmes.
PNN