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Children protest against child marriage -
they seek
your support
14 year old Uchengamma, the president
of Makkala Panchayat
and the new president of Bhima Sangha
State Committee is leading a protest movement against child marriage
in her village in Northern Karnataka. Makkala Panchayats in this
region had flagged child marriage as a major issue to fight against
and have been consistently raising it in all forums. The past two days
have seen the launch of a major campaign against child marriages.
This campaign is also a personal
battle for Uchengamma as two days ago her family decided to get her
married off that day. Uchengamma tried to convince her family against
this decision in vain. Finally she decided to file a complaint with
the local police and local Panchayat, seeking their protection and
support. The local police were immediate to respond and they explained
to her family that child marriage was against the law and the
consequence of such a marriage would be severe. Yet,Uchengamma’s
family is bent upon going ahead, largely because many members of their
community support the practice of child marriage.
So the members of Makkala Panchayats
and Bhima Sangha took a decision to launch an extensive campaign and
are enlisting support from other children and adults.
Members of Makkala Panchayats, Bhima
Sangha, Namma Sabhas
and Makkala Mitras
from different parts of Karnataka have extended their full support to
their colleagues in Holagundi and its neighboring villages.
Despite isolated protests by
individuals, the practice of child marriage continues rampantly in
this region of Karnataka. According to one of our surveys, the average
age of marriage in these Panchayats is 13.9 years for girls and 18.1
years for boys. In several cases children as young as 4 - 5
years have also been married off. The implications of child
marriage on the minds and bodies of children need no further
elaboration. It is a clear violation of children’s rights and the
Constitution of our Country.
We need your support and solidarity to
strengthen this fight demanding for an immediate stop to the practice
of child marriage and to create an environment where child marriage is
no longer acceptable.
Please send your messages of support
and solidarity to Bhima Sangha to the following addresses and urge the
local administration in Holagundi to collaborate with Bhima Sangha in
their struggle:
President,
Makkala Panchayat
The Concerned for Working Children
C/o Holagundi Gram Panchayat
303/1 L.B Shastri Nagar
Holagundi Post
Annasandra Palya
Hoovina Hadagali Taluk
Bangalore 560 017
Bellary District
India
Email:
cwc@pobox.com
Pushparaj
Nandana Reddy
Kavita Ratna
Vice President
Director Development
Director Samwada
Bhima Sangha
Date:03-06-2002
Makkala Panchayat is a parallel Panchayat of children elected by
all children in the Panchayat. It consists of representatives of
working children, school going children and children with
disabilities.
Bhima Sangha is a union of. by and for working children.
Namma Sabha is a union of young artisans and workers.
Makkala Mitra (Children’s friend) is an adult within the community
who is committed to assist children in times of crises.
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