Zunheboto, November 8 (MExN): The Deputy Commissioner of Zunheboto, Dharam Raj, IAS, directed all villages and wards under Zunheboto district to organise campaigns and take a pledge against child marriage as part of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (BVMB) Child Marriage-Free India initiative.
In a circular dated November 3, the Deputy Commissioner informed all Village Council Chairmen, Gaon Burahs (GBs) and Ward GBs about the observance of the initiative, aimed at preventing child marriage under the 100-day awareness campaign and in connection with the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage on November 27.
As part of the initiative, all villages and wards have been directed to conduct campaigns, take a pledge against child marriage and submit a photograph of the pledge-taking activity to the designated contact numbers, 8414829153 and 9233358523, on or before November 27.
The circular stated that copies of the pledge and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials have been enclosed for dissemination and necessary action.
The pledge calls upon individuals and communities not to support, encourage or participate in child marriage and to ensure that no child is married before attaining the legal age of marriage. It also emphasises creating awareness within families and communities about the harmful effects of child marriage, reporting such incidents to the concerned authorities and encouraging parents, village leaders and community organisations to work collectively toward eliminating the practice.
The initiative further calls for respecting the rights, dignity and freedom of every child and making villages and communities child marriage-free.
