REDS conducts awareness campaign against child marriage

Puttaparthi: As part of awareness campaign against child marriage in five districts of Rayalaseema, launched by Rural and Environment Development Society (REDS), in collaboration with Just Rights for Children, Anantapur District Education Officers has organised ‘One Lamp – One Pledge: A Commitment to Ending Child Marriage’ in Puttaparthi.

Members of high-level committee and child labour committee, teachers and students participated by lighting lamps and taking a pledge against child marriage. Several educational institutions, including George English Medium School, extended their

support.

The campaign focused on sensitising parents and communities to the serious consequences of child marriage, particularly school dropouts, early pregnancy, health complications and the loss of opportunities for personal development.

REDS CEO Bhanuja stated out Anantapur districts has reported a higher incidence of child marriages. She said that building a child-marriage-free society was the shared responsibility of government departments, voluntary organisations, educational institutions and public, emphasising that sustained community participation was essential to eliminate the practice. Bhanuja informed that REDS has prevented child marriages in 250 panchayats in the erstwhile Anantapur district. To expand the initiative, the organisation has adopted 1,000 gram panchayats across the five Rayalaseema districts for intensive awareness and prevention activities.

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The Hans India