Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at encouraging resistance against child marriage, the women and child development department has directed all district authorities to identify adolescent girls residing in child care institutions (CCIs), who successfully prevented their own marriages and recommend their names for state-level felicitation.In a communication issued to all district social welfare officers (DSWOs), the department said several adolescent girls have displayed remarkable courage by informing authorities or seeking timely intervention to stop their marriages, thereby safeguarding their rights and contributing to efforts to eliminate child marriage.“The department is planning to felicitate such adolescent girls at the state level in recognition of their courage and exemplary action,” the letter issued by additional secretary Kanhu Charana Naik stated.Officials said the recognition programme is intended not only to acknowledge the girls’ efforts but also to motivate other vulnerable adolescents to seek assistance when faced with the threat of child marriage.District authorities have been asked to identify eligible girls residing in CCIs under their jurisdiction and submit details, including the nature of the intervention and the girl’s present status, to the department by Aug 15.The communication emphasised that due care must be taken to protect the privacy and dignity of the girls while sharing information, in line with child protection norms.The initiative comes as the state continues efforts to strengthen implementation of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and raise awareness about the rights of adolescent girls.
