Barpeta: In a bid to eradicate child marriage, an awareness rally and community meeting were held on February 18, in Kadong Gram Panchayat, Mandia Block, Barpeta in Assam.
The initiative, aimed at creating a Child Marriage-Free Gram Panchayat, was spearheaded by the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW) under the Women and Child Development Department, Barpeta, with support from the Piramal Foundation.
The event began with an energetic rally, flagged off by Mousumi Chetia, ACS, Additional District Commissioner of Barpeta.
Schoolchildren, carrying vibrant posters and chanting anti-child marriage slogans, marched through the village, capturing the attention of the community and emphasising the urgency of addressing the issue.
Following the rally, a community meeting was convened, chaired by the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) of Barpeta.
The meeting saw the participation of officials from various departments, including the Child Development Project Office (CDPO), District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), and Health Department, alongside local representatives.
During the meeting, the DSWO highlighted the importance of empowering girls through education and opportunities, while a health expert discussed the severe physical and psychological impacts of early marriage.
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A DCPU representative also spoke about the legal safeguards in place for children’s rights and encouraged the community to stay vigilant and proactive in combating child marriage.
A major highlight of the event was a Poster Making Competition, where students used their creativity to express powerful messages about preventing child marriage.
The event not only left a lasting impact on the community but also empowered students to become advocates for change in their own villages.
This campaign is part of an ongoing series of awareness initiatives organized by DHEW, with the support of the Piramal Foundation, across the Barpeta district.
