Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign reaches religious institutions in Kishtwar

KISHTWAR, JANUARY 09: An awareness programme under the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign was today organised here at Shri Gori Shankar Temple Sarkoot. The programme was conducted by the District Child Protection Unit in coordination with One Stop Centre and Child Help Line, focusing on the legal, social and health consequences of child marriage. Priest Vinay Sharma, local residents, teachers and students participated actively in the awareness sessions.
Protection Officer-NIC Touseef Iqbal Butt explained the provisions regulating the marriage age, the importance of education for children and the mediums to report child related cases to district offices like Child helpline number 1098. “Religious institutions play a crucial role in shaping social values and can act as effective platforms to discourage Bal Vivah and promote child rights,” he noted.
The religious leaders and community members assured full cooperation in spreading the message against child marriage.
At the end, the participants took a pledge to oppose Bal Vivah in all forms and to work collectively for the protection of child rights.
Among others present included Vikey Sharma (Project Coordinator CHL), Kajal Parihar (Case Worker OSC), Swati Sharma (Counsellor CHL), Vibah Sharma, Sheetal Rana and Aqib Qazi (ORWs DCPU), Shashi Kumar (MPS OSC).