Save the Children, an international organisation working against child marriages, organised a media interaction here to make scribes aware of how to stop child marriages.
The organisation is operating in 12 districts in the State. It has been organising a programme ‘Marriage is no child's play’ in order to create awareness among girls to stop child marriage.
As per a study conducted by the ANANYA, India has the largest number of child brides in the world.
Despite the ban in force for over 85 years, 47.4 per cent of women are married before the age of 18 years and 18 per cent before the tender age of 15 years.
“If girls are provided with opportunities to acquire skill training, self-confidence and self efficacy, then they are more likely to delay marriage than girls who do not have these opportunities,” said organisears.
They said sexual and reproductive health education is essential for young people to make safe and informed decisions on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). The More Than Bride Alliance (MTBA) can directly empower girls to make informed decisions.
The Save the Children has taken 115 villages in nine gram panchayats of K Nuagaon block in Kandhmal district.
It focuses on regular education, livelihood of family, forming child protection committees. It has also formed child safety committees in 100 villages.
By the effort of the oganisation, Sabitri, a minor girl of remote Bandaguda village, could stop her marriage by making her parents understand the consequences of child marriage. She also spoke to the groom and his family about the evils of child marriage.
The Save the Children with the help of the SWATI has been successful in stopping 23 child marriages in Kandhmal district.
Among others, senior journalist Dr Arup Jena and Sadashiv Patra graced as guests.
A girl, Jhilika who took training, also said about the negativity of child marriage. Distirct officer Manoj Mishra coordinated the programme.