A workshop entitled "No to Child Marriage" held at Bhawanipatna on Friday expressed the opinion that early marriage can be stopped if people from all sections of society take steps to change people's mindset. It was a joint endeavour by NGO Kartabya, the Department of Women and Child Development and SKN.
Deputy Director Planning and Monitoring Shrikant Dalei inaugurated the workshop. Additional District Social Welfare Officer Dulal Senapati, District Child Protection Officer Sailendu Shekhar Mahapatra, former Chairman, Child Welfare Committee, Dr Ajaya Mishra and Kartabya chief Ashok Patnaik were present.
The CDPO along with supervisors of various blocks attended the workshop and discussed the causes of early marriage in Kalahandi district. Dr Mishra and Mohapatra had a detailed discussion on various social and legal aspects.
"Early marriage in Kalahandi has decreased compared to last year, but in the coming days, it has to be brought to a halt through creation of widespread awareness with everyone's cooperation," said the participants. There has to be good coordination between Panchayat representatives, teachers, students, youths, police, heads of different castes, private institutions, Anganwadi workers, Asha workers and departmental officers," they added.
Rajesh Patnaik of SKN gave the welcome speech and Satish Das gave a vote of thanks.
