The Childline in Kozhikode has formed a comprehensive plan to check child marriages in the district.
The plan involves several programmes to create awareness on the social, legal, and health implications of child marriage.
As a first step towards implementing the plan, a one-day workshop was held for all child marriage prohibition officers in the district. The details of the plan and its implementation at the grassroots level were discussed.
Sub-Judge R.L. Baiju inaugurated the workshop. He handled a session on the legal aspects of dealing with the practice. Childline director E.P. Imbichikkoya presided over the programme. District Social Welfare Officer P.P. Saramma delivered the keynote address. District Probation Officer K.T. Ashraf Kavil spoke on the social aspects of child marriage while Khadeeja Mumtaz, writer and physician, spoke of the health aspects of the practice.
Childline coordinators M.P. Mohemmedali and P.P. Sulaiman led the discussions that followed. Childline intended to conduct training sessions for supervisors of the Integrated Child Development Scheme and school counsellors during the last week of April.
Sessions would be held for Adolescence Club members, parents, teachers, ‘mahall’ office-bearers, people’s representatives, Anganwadi workers, and Panchayat officials in the coming days, sources said.