As part of the ongoing 100-Days Intensive Awareness Campaign for a Child-Marriage Free Bharat under the NALSA/ASHA SOP and the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Jaintia Hills District today organized a Follow-up Awareness Camp at Star Public School, Lumshnong, East Jaintia Hills District.
The programme was conducted to assess the impact of the initial awareness initiatives previously held in the institution. Activities included administration of questionnaires to students to evaluate their understanding on Child Marriage laws and its social implications.
The programme was attended by Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel, Smti. R. Manar, Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel, Smti. P. Paswett, along with other staff members of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Jaintia Hills District.
During the programme, Resource Persons from the office of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Jaintia Hills District, Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel, Smti. Manar and Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel, Smti. Paswett, elaborated on the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, emphasizing its legal framework, penalties, and the long-term social and psychological consequences of child marriage on young girls and boys.
They sensitized the students on how early marriage affects education, health, and future opportunities, and stressed the collective responsibility of society in preventing such practices. The speakers also urged participants to promptly report any incidents or risks of child marriage by utilizing the Child Helpline Number 1098 and the Toll-Free Number 15100. Students were encouraged to remain vigilant, support their peers, and actively spread awareness within their families and communities, thereby contributing towards the vision of a child-marriage-free society.
The follow-up camp also featured an essay writing competition centered on the theme “Prevention of Child Marriage,” which was divided into 10 topics. After the programme, students were also given questionnaires on the harmful consequences of child marriage to further educate and assess their understanding. Students actively participated and expressed their views on the social, legal, and emotional consequences of child marriage, while highlighting the importance of education and empowerment in building a Child-Marriage-free society.
The competition served as a platform to assess students’ understanding following the initial awareness programme and to encourage critical thinking on the issue.
A similar programme was also held at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Rymbai East Jaintia Hills District which was attended by Additional Public Prosecutor, East Jaintia Hills District, Smti. M. War, Deputy Legal Aid Defence Counsel, Smti. K. Challam, Assistant Legal Aid Counsel, Smti. K. Dkhar, Principal of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Dr. Raj Kumar and students.
The follow-up camps were organized to assess the impact of the earlier awareness programmes through an essay writing, questionnaires exercise, and Quiz focusing on the prevention of child marriage. The initiative also aimed at reinforcing students’ understanding of the legal implications and social consequences of child marriage.
The District Legal Services Authority appreciated the cooperation and active participation of the schools and students and acknowledged the continued support of the media in spreading awareness on the prevention of child marriage.
The follow-up camp aimed to reinforce awareness, encourage youth participation in social reform, and strengthen the collective commitment towards eradicating child marriage in the district. It may be mentioned that the best essays from participating schools will be shortlisted for recognition and publication as part of the campaign’s advocacy and outreach initiatives.
