Ranchi: UNICEF organised a Partners’ Consultation on Adolescent Development and Empowerment with a strong focus on direct discussions with children and adolescents on issues affecting their lives, including child marriage, education and well-being.Child reporters and young changemakers participated in the consultation, sharing personal experiences, concerns and recommendations related to school dropouts, early marriage, health, safety and mental well-being. The interaction provided a platform for children to voice their perspectives and contribute to strategies aimed at making Jharkhand child marriage free by 2029.Unicef’s chief of field office, Kaninika Mitra said, “The consultation reaffirmed the importance of meaningful adolescent participation through child reporters and youth collectives, ensuring that young voices help shape policies and programmes.”Director of the state social welfare department, Kiran Pasi said that ending child marriage and ensuring that adolescents, especially girls, complete their education and access quality health, protection and livelihood opportunities remains a top priority for the govt. “Through strong convergence across departments, we are building an enabling ecosystem to help adolescents realise their full potential,” she said.
