Bastar villages pledge to end child marriage

Jagdalpur | Correspondent: On the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, a comprehensive awareness campaign regarding child protection and the prevention of child marriage was conducted across 100 Gram Panchayats in Bastar district. During the Gram Sabhas organized as part of this initiative, villagers and public representatives did not merely discuss Panchayat affairs; they took a collective pledge to make their villages completely free from child marriage, child labor, and child trafficking.

Organized under the joint aegis of the Chetna Child and Women Welfare Society (Bastar) and JRC (Just Right for Children), the primary objective of this program is to make rural areas child-friendly.

While raising awareness during the Gram Sabhas, experts explained that early marriage is not merely a social evil; it has a profound negative impact on children's education, health, safety, and overall future.

The campaign emphasized that ensuring children's safety and development is not solely the responsibility of government machinery or voluntary organizations; families, teachers, Anganwadi workers, youth, and ordinary citizens play a crucial role.

The meeting appealed for collective monitoring and vigilance at the village level to create a safe environment for children.

Villagers, parents, and teachers were urged to keep a constant watch on the well-being of children and, should any instance of violence, exploitation, or child marriage come to light, to immediately inform the concerned departments rather than concealing the matter. A call has been issued for all sections of society to unite in their efforts to make the Gram Panchayats of Bastar safe and child-friendly.