In Punjab, 58 incidents of child marriages have been averted in the last 15 months. Quoting official sources in the state’s Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, our Jalandhar Correspondent reports that out of them, surprisingly, 55 are those who belonged to families in Punjab, and just 3 were from migrant families settled in the state. As per the data, 42 cases of child marriages were prevented between January to December last year, and 16 have been stopped between January to March this year. These figures show that more than three attempts of child marriages are being made every month.
Out of the total attempts of child marriages prevented, one was of a minor boy’s marriage, and the rest of them were of minor girls marrying men, mostly much older than them. Sources have informed that legal action has also been initiated against those responsible.
Meanwhile, a dedicated Child Helpline Number 1098 is functional round-the-clock in Punjab, through which any citizen can confidentially report incidents of child marriage, child abuse or exploitation. Information regarding such incidents can also be shared with the Principals of the Senior Secondary Government Schools of the respective villages and the Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), who have been designated as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs), to ensure prompt action.
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