TIRUPATI: ‘Digital Campaign Against Early Child Marriages’, which was launched earlier by Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC) – India, in association with Rural Organisation for Poverty Eradication Services (ROPES) and over 80 civil society organisations reached its 100th day.
Speaking to mediapersons at Chittoor on Monday, CCFC country director Nancy Annabel said that the campaign, under the title name ‘Stop child marriage now’ has been taken out in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, and reached over 6 lakh children and elders in 300 communities where early and forced child marriage is still prominently practised.
Speaking about the objective of the campaign, Ms Annabel said: “The campaign was held to create effective awareness against the dangers of child marriages among the target group. In the survey, we identified that poverty, illiteracy and lack of economic resources were the most prominent aspects that drive vulnerable communities towards child marriages”.
The volunteers conducted group sessions to present relevant documentaries focusing on how harmful the practice of child marriage is. “We have witnessed a visible change in the awareness levels of participating schoolchildren, with responses showing that they understood early and forced child marriage is illegal,” she said.
Apart from the campaign, CCFC also focuses on key aspects of rehabilitation of vulnerable communities by forming children’s clubs and educating them about the facts on early and forced child marriages.
The Child Helpline 1098 has reached schoolchildren and communities, she maintained. Chairman and director of ROPES K. Dhana Sekaran and programme director P. Sree Latha were present.
