Child Marriage is a Social Issue that has existed for many decades now. The issue has not been solved despite the existing laws. During this Corona pandemic, the children are most vulnerable for different kinds of exploitation like abuse, child marriage etc. Initiatives for Early Married Girls’ Empowerment (IMAGE) is an innovative and integrated initiative to address the issues of Early Married Girls (EMGs) in Karnataka state of India.
The IMAGE team members on the field have a continuous watch over these situations through home visits and through the children clubs. Upon receiving the news of children getting married in Hanur Block, Chamrajnagar (One of the target villages of PMSR) and Bilagi, Mudhol and Bagalkot Blocks, Bagalkot (the target villages of REACH), a team consisting of Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), team members from the PMSR & REACH, Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Childline reached the groom’s house and successfully stopped the marriage.
Such efforts need to be applauded and can indeed help in preventing child marriage and empowering the lives of many adolescent girls. The project will certainly reach the aim of making a positive change in adolescent girls’ lives through these steps.
