The Concerned for Working Children (CWC) organized Consultation with Youths, Children and Adolescents on Gender empowerment and age of marriage for young girls on July 10, 2020 through Zoom app. The meet was held in the context of the efforts made by Task Force, Ministry of Women and Child Development to consult with various experts in the grassroots level and common people to increase the age of marriage for girls from 18 to 21 years.
The discussions were about poverty, lack of information, superstitious beliefs, lack of trust on their children, gender inequality and influence of media being the main reasons for the prevalence of Child Marriages despite the law. If the age at marriage is increased to 21 years, girls will be able to complete their education, will be more mature to take decisions on their own. All marriages should be registered compulsorily and should be linked to Aadhar card which helps in tracking. Government should provide free and compulsory education till 2nd PUC or 12th standard. Law should be strictly enforced through severe penalties and punishments by establishing Task Force or a Board.
Ms. Nishita Khajane, The CWC, welcomed the gathering and shared the instructions for the webinar. Ms. Kavitha, Director, CWC, facilitated the program. Ms. Tanisha and Ms. Ranjana, Nehru Makkala Sangha Child Rights Club, CREAM, BOSCO participated along with Ms. Priya, Social Activist, CREAM, BOSCO, Bengaluru. 40 children from 14 districts of Karnataka participated in the Consultation.
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