Nizamabad: Rally Held to Promote a Child Marriage-Free India
A rally, human chain, pledge, and awareness program were organized at the Government High School (Junior College) in Bodhan mandal on Wednesday. The event was held under the slogan “Child Marriage Free India” in response to a call from the Government of India. It was jointly conducted by the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), the District Women Empowerment Center, and the ICDS Bodhan Project.
The main goal of the program was to educate students about the harmful effects of child marriage. Officials aimed to raise awareness among young people about the consequences of this practice and encourage them to stand against it.
District Mission Coordinator P. Swapna from the Department of Health and Empowerment of Women (DHEW) spoke about the health risks associated with early marriages. She explained that young girls who marry early face serious health issues, such as early pregnancies, anemia, increased risk of HIV, and fistula—a condition caused by narrow tissue tunnels in the body.
In addition to health problems, Swapna highlighted the social challenges these girls face. Early marriages often lead to domestic violence, harassment, and social isolation because of the lack of maturity and independence among young brides. Their education and career opportunities are disrupted, trapping them in poverty and reinforcing gender inequality, health difficulties, and economic struggles.
Radhika, the ICDS in-charge Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), emphasized the importance of reporting child marriages. She encouraged students to focus on their education, work hard to achieve their goals, and build trust with their parents. She also stressed that students should take their responsibilities seriously to prevent such harmful practices in their communities.
The event was attended by ICDS supervisors Aasia and Gopi Lakshmi, school principal Balachander, Anganwadi teachers Pushpa, Shyamala, Kalavathi, Jamuna, Rani, Kanis, and Anis, along with many students. Together, they pledged to work toward creating a society free from child marriage.
