An Update from the Field

Around 35,000 people, both children and adults, in 3 taluks, namely, Hadagali, Koodligi in Bellary district and Harapanahalli in Davangere district were sensitised through the `Say No to Child Marriage' Campaign. Bellary and Davangere are amongst the districts with the highest incidence of child marriage in the state. Our field staff visited primary and high school students in around 20 schools to conduct awareness workshops on the dangers and consequences of child marriages, HIV/Aids and strategies they could use to combat this evil in their communities. Teachers have played an integral role in the
sensitisation programmes in schools. Several discussions have been held with community members. 8000 people have endorsed the campaign through their signatures. Around a 1000 letters/postcards have been sent to the Chief Minister by children and community members inorder to register their protest against the continued complacency of the government in taking action in this regard.

In Hadagali Taluk, a father and reluctant mother were convinced to wait until their daughter reaches the legally permissible age of marriage before they get her married. This was possible due to the compelling arguments put forth by the Bellary field activists about the economic, physical and psychological implications of child marriage. The activists related the story of Uchengemma who, at the age of 15, boldly fought off social and family pressure to get married and sparked off a major campaign against child marriage spearheaded by children themselves. Finally, the mother let up and agreed to wait while a relieved father thanked the field activists, whom he himself had approached to talk to his wife.
 

Several such stories of small and big successes remain to be told, we will do our best to bring them onto the public forum.

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