Sankalp HEW Doda hosts awareness camp for students

Doda, Oct 20: An impactful awareness camp on the eradication of child marriage was organized today here at Islamia Faridia School with the aim of educating students and staff about the dangers and long-term consequences of this practice. The event was part of a broader initiative to eliminate child marriage in the region and across India by 2030.

The campaign, aligned with the National Child Marriage Free India Campaign, shed light on the physical, emotional, and social impacts of child marriage on young girls. Led by local activists and supported by school authorities, the camp emphasized the importance of education and community awareness in combating this deep-rooted issue. A representative from the Sankalp Hub for Empowerment of Women, Humerah  Balwan (Gender specialist ) explained the new laws under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, which came into effect in July 2024, defining child marriage as a form of exploitation and sexual intercourse with a child within marriage as rape.

The session highlighted alarming statistics, including the fact that three minor girls are married every minute in India, and how this practice contributes to higher rates of infant mortality and entrenched poverty.

The students were encouraged to speak up against any form of forced marriage. They were informed about helpline numbers and support systems available to report the cases of child marriage. The session ended with a poignant testimonial from a child marriage survivor, whose tragic experiences brought home the reality of the issue.

The awareness camp is expected to create a ripple effect, engaging young students as advocates for change within their communities. The school administration expressed its commitment to host similar programs in the future, ensuring that students understand their rights and the importance of staying in school. The event ended with the pledge ceremony and to work for making  India child marriage free.

The event marked a significant step in raising awareness at the grassroots level and fostering a safer, more equitable future for girls in the Doda region.