IRMA to Launch Campaign Against Child Marriage, Calls for District Administration’s Support

On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child, the NGO Integrated Rural Management Association (IRMA), working in Kangpokpi District for the protection of child rights and ending child marriage, submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate Kangpokpi, seeking the administration’s support to conduct an intensive and wide-reaching campaign against child marriage from Diwali to Republic Day (26th January).

The memorandum stated that the Government of India’s “Child Marriage Free India” campaign is about to complete one year.

It emphasized the need for a special district-level initiative, led by the district administration, to further accelerate the campaign’s success in Kangpokpi District.

The NGO said that while the campaign has been successful so far, child marriage continues to be a persistent issue in the district and such an intensive campaign against child marriage will make ‘child marriage free Kangpokpi District’ a reality at the earliest.

Emphasising partnership between administration and the grassroots for the elimination of child marriage, T. Lamjaneng Haokip, Director of IRMA, said, “We believe that the greatest reason behind the success of the ‘Child Marriage Free India’ campaign has been the strict enforcement of law, which has led to a significant change in people’s attitudes. The success of this campaign has proved that if the government and society work together with determination, the prevention of child marriage is indeed possible. Standing at the forefront of this effort, Just Rights for Children, with the support of government, police and administration, has prevented nearly four lakh child marriages across the country in the last two years.”

The memorandum urged the district administration to issue a circular instructing priests, moulvis, pastors and others who solemnize marriages, as well as service providers such as band groups, marriage hall (banquets) owners and caterers, that any assistance in conducting a child marriage is illegal and will invite strict legal action.

It also requested the administration’s cooperation in identifying panchayats where no child marriage has occurred during the past year, so that they may be declared as ‘Child Marriage Free Panchayats’ next year. Additionally, awareness campaigns should be organized in panchayats where incidents of child marriage have been reported.
The memorandum further asked the administration to issue a clear directive stating that anyone found aiding or abetting child marriage will face legal consequences.

Lauding the consistent support of the government, district administration and police in the prevention of child marriage over the past year, IRMA stated that the dream of a Child Marriage Free Kangpokpi District will soon become a reality, and the campaign to be run till 26th January will prove to be a milestone in the journey toward ending child marriage.

Integrated Rural Management Association (IRMA) is a partner of Just Rights for Children (JRC), the largest network of over 250 NGOs working across over 450 districts in India for the protection and promotion of child rights.