As many as 39 adolescent and young girls and boys who took a stand against child marriage in their own communities spoke of the need for education, better health, ending violence and gender discrimination and an end to the practice of child marriage on four community radios and one FM station in the State.
As a part of the Unicef-led World Children’s Day commemoration in Odisha, these children from Kandhamal, Koraput, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Rayagada, Puri and Khordha, were heard on Radio Choklate, FM channel in Bhubaneswar and community radios stations like Voice of SOA in Bhubaneshwar, Radio Dhimsa in Koraput, Radio Namaskar in Konark and Radio Muskaan in Phulbani.
The initiative was in partnership with the ActionAid, with which the Unicef advocates to end the practice of child marriage in the State.
Chief of Field Office, Unicef Odisha Yumi Bae said, “Concerns expressed by the children are real. They must be heard and respected as they guide us in making this world a better place for every child. We are extremely grateful to all the radio stations that partnered with us here in Odisha, giving the children the space to talk, interact and learn.”
Describing her experience, 17-year- old Minakhi Manjari Ganta from Rayagada district said, “I had never imagined that I would get a chance to learn the things that I have learnt today about a radio station. I sang a song with a message for the rights of women and narrated a story on-air. We also spoke to radio jockeys who were very encouraging.”
Anil Pradhan (16) from Kelapada village, Kandhamal said, “This was a new experience for me. In the radio programme, we spoke about child marriage, how it affects health, our childhood and education. I am very happy and hope it will be helpful for the parents, community and audiences who are listening to our programme on the community radio.”
“Children themselves are now champions against child marriage. Opportunities like this through community and FM radio gives them a voice that reaches many more people to stand against the practice,” said ActionAid, Bhubaneswar RM Debabrat Patra.