Rayagada: A district-level work plan has been framed to prevent and prohibit child marriages and empower adolescents in Rayagada district.
The task force was formed under the chairmanship of District Collector and District Nodal Officer for Prohibition of Child Marriage, Pramod Kumar Behera, at a meeting organised jointly by District Administration, District Child Protection Unit, Rayagada, ActionAid Association and Unicef, Odisha office.
The work plan focused on creating awareness, rescue and rehabilitation mechanisms for children to prevent child labour and child marriage issues.
ActionAid’s National Project Director Ghasiram Panda laid focus on child marriage and the steps taken by the state government, Unicef and ActionAid in his speech.
Child protection mechanism, social security, child health institutions, child education and child marriages were discussed at the meeting. It was felt that no child should be out of school and ensuring protection for children and adolescents both at household, community and the institution may ensure safe childhood.
It was also decided that the age bar should not be limited to 18 years in case of girl and 21 years in case of boy, if they are interested to involve themselves in skill development or higher education.
PNN
