A sustained campaign at the grass root level has helped prevent over 230 child marriages in Perambalur district over the past two-and-half years.
One of the most backward districts in the State, child marriage is widely prevalent here owing to a variety of socio-economic factors. But over the past few years, coordinated efforts have been made across the district to check the practice.
Accordingly, field level officials such as school teachers, village health nurses, anganwadi workers, village administrative officers and panchayat presidents besides students became the target group for the sustained sensitisation exercise, say Social Welfare Department officials.
As part of the campaign, school teachers were asked to alert officials immediately in case any girl student in their respective institution went on leave for more than three days without assigning a proper reason, an official said.
The contact numbers of officials were given to students, teachers and other field-level workers to alert them in case of a minor’s marriage. The move paid off – gradually strengthening the information network through tip-offs, says the District Social Welfare Officer K. Pechiammal.
Officials say that action does not end with just stopping minor marriage and offering counselling to parents. Follow-ups are being done by the Social Welfare Department and the Child Welfare Committee in every case.
Twenty eight such rescued girls from the district are currently pursuing higher education, says Ms. Pechiammal. The district administration has also formed child protection committees at the village and block level to spread the message against the social evil.
