The scores of girls who gathered at an anganvadi at Ullat, Kalikavu, on Monday had a single objective. All of them were in their teens. And all of them wanted not to get married before they become adults.
The girls, in spite of observing the Ramzan fasting, came forward enthusiastically to the gathering organised by the District Child Protection Unit. Many of them were aware of the fact that an awakening was taking place in the district against the bane of child marriage.
They shared their love for their childhood and concerns about being deprived of it early.
Awareness
There were more than 100 of them taking a pledge against child marriage. They decided to do their best not only to guard themselves against possible early marriage, but also to spread awareness in society about the ill-effects of child marriage. They had a solid reason to state. As many as 26 child marriages had been prevented in Kalikavu block through court intervention until April this year.
These apart, the child marriage prevention officer responsible for Kalikavu had stopped four marriages.
“Their gathering and pledge was an answer to those who choose to underplay child marriage,” said District Child Protection Officer Sameer Machingal.
The girls watched Pathinettu, a movie produced by the District Child Protection Unit on the basis of a real-life incident in which a16-year-old school girl sought the help of a police officer to escape from her marriage.
The film was a hit not only among the social workers but also among school and college students. The girls discussed the movie and vowed not to let themselves be married off before they attain 18 years of age. Social workers from different parts of the State took classes for them.
