The District Legal Services Authority, West Jaintia Hills District, organized a Legal Awareness Program on Child Marriage Prevention at the Iawthymme Market, Jowai, today.
The program was conducted as part of the 100-Day District-Wise Action Plan for Prevention of Child Marriages in Meghalaya, under the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) (ASHA - Awareness, Support, Help and Action) SOP, and the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign.
The objective of the program was to raise awareness among market vendors, parents, youth, and the general public about the legal consequences of child marriage, mechanisms for protecting child rights, and the role of the community in preventing such practices.
Mr. F.B. Passah, Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel, DLSA, West Jaintia Hills District, stated that child marriage remains one of the most serious problems in the district, especially in rural areas. He explained that poverty, school dropouts, lack of awareness about the legal provisions, and social pressure within the community are the main causes of child marriage.
He further provided information on the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, stating that the legal age of marriage is 21 years for boys and 18 years for girls, and that strict legal action can be taken against those who perform, permit, or promote child marriage.
He also informed the public that in case of any report or complaint regarding child marriage, concerned citizens can contact the Child Helpline number at 1098 or call the court fee helpline number 15100.