Inspired by the distressing stories of her own classmates being forced to leave school, a determined Class 10 student from Tamil Nadu's Trichy district has taken a stand against the social evil of child marriage. Her student-led awareness drive has now received official appreciation from district authorities.
A Personal Motive Sparks a Movement
N S Layashree, a student at the Government Girls' Higher Secondary School in Thuraiyur, decided she could no longer be a silent witness. She had personally observed girls, including some from her own school, abandon their education due to early marriage. Moved to action, she chose November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to formally launch her campaign.
"I have seen students, including from my own school, drop out due to child marriage," Layashree explained. "I felt messages shared by students themselves would be more effective in reaching our peers and communities."
Spreading the Message Through Creativity and Outreach
Layashree's initiative began with the display of awareness banners. She quickly expanded her efforts by organizing peer outreach programs. The campaign successfully reached students at three educational institutions:
- Her own Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Thuraiyur.
- The Municipal High School in Thuraiyur.
- The Government Higher Secondary School in Sengattupatti.
During these sessions, the team distributed awareness materials featuring concise social messages advocating against child marriage and promoting the critical importance of girls' education. Layashree also tapped into creative arts to make her message resonate. She composed an awareness poem in the style of Aathichudi and created poignant drawings that highlighted the negative impact of child marriage on young lives.
A central element of the campaign was an awareness banner that invited both students and teachers to sign their names, pledging support for the cause and symbolizing a collective stand.
Official Recognition for Grassroots Effort
The significance and impact of this grassroots, student-driven campaign did not go unnoticed. On Wednesday, Musiri sub-collector Sushree Suvangi Kunthia, along with other officials, formally honoured Layashree for her exemplary initiative. She was presented with a letter of appreciation, commending her proactive role in addressing a deep-rooted social issue.
This recognition underscores the power of youth agency in driving social change. Layashree's campaign demonstrates how a single student's concern, when channeled into structured action, can inspire a community and draw attention from authorities tasked with social welfare. Her work stands as a model for student-led advocacy in the ongoing fight to end child marriage and keep girls in school across India.
