“My daughter studied up to Standard VIII. She got a good match, and we stopped her education and decided to perform her wedding. But, officials stopped the marriage,” said the mother of a bridegroom.
Same was the story with another child whose marriage, which was stopped by officials recently. Interestingly, the marriages were planned in and around Vijayawada city, the new proposed capital region for Andhra Pradesh.
“We stopped more than 25 marriages in the last two months. In most cases, bridegrooms were aged between 13 and 16 years, and their education was stopped at the school level. In many cases, public representatives who are supposed to enlighten the families against child marriages are playing a key role and are supporting marriages,” said the Women Development and Child Welfare Department officials.
Poor coordination
However, the officials admitted that child marriages are taking place due to lack of coordination between Revenue, Women Development and Child Welfare (WD&CW), Police, Endowments and other line departments. In some cases, minor boys and girls, who run away from home enter into wedlock at temples.
Expressing concern over the increasing child marriages, Women Development and Child Welfare (WD&CW) Krishna District Project Director K. Krishna Kumari said the officials are planning to constitute committees at village-level to create awareness among the girls against child marriages, health education and the consequences if girls were married at young age.
District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Ch. Vijay Kumar said the WD&CW are planning to meet the Endowments Department officials to prevent child marriages.
“As most weddings are performed at shrines, we will request the temple executive officers to allow marriages on the premises only after registration.
The bride and the bridegrooms should produce age proof certificates, willingness of parents or guardians with necessary evidence before the marriage,” said the DCPO.
