In a significant move to protect young futures, Charaideo district in Assam has launched a novel and impactful campaign directly engaging students in the fight against child marriage. The initiative, titled 'Where Is Your Missing Friend?', was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Sonari College auditorium as a core component of the broader 'Child Marriage Free India Campaign — Protected Childhood, Golden Assam' drive.
Empowering Students as Guardians
The campaign's central premise is powerful in its simplicity: it urges students to be vigilant about their classmates' attendance. A sudden and unexplained absence from school could be a red flag indicating a girl has been forced into an early marriage. The programme aims to sensitize young people to recognize this sign and take action. Nearly 500 students participated in the awareness event, which was organized by the Charaideo district administration in collaboration with Sankalp: District Hub for Empowerment of Women and the District Child Protection Unit.
Addressing the gathering, District Commissioner Neha Yadav empowered the young audience, stating, "Each one of you can be a guardian of your friends' futures. If you notice a classmate missing from school, ask questions, reach out, and inform authorities if needed. Your vigilance can save lives and futures." Additional District Commissioner Sujata Gogoi set the tone with a welcome address that underscored the critical need to protect children's rights and ensure their uninterrupted access to education.
Engaging Education Through Drama and Data
To drive the message home in a relatable way, the event featured two compelling plays that dramatized the severe consequences of child marriage, capturing the attention of the student audience. This was complemented by an informative PowerPoint presentation delivered by Nina Jyoti Changmai, which laid out stark statistics on child marriage prevalence in the region and detailed the legal provisions that exist to combat this social evil. The programme was hosted by Dipen Baruah.
Beyond Awareness: Counselling and Skill Development
Understanding that prevention is also linked to opportunity, the event extended beyond pure awareness. A special career counselling session was conducted by representatives from the Indian Army, with officials from the Indian Air Force and the district Sainik welfare officer also in attendance. This session aimed to broaden horizons for the youths present.
The programme concluded with a practical skill development session led by Rini Sonowal, an assistant professor at Moran College. She guided students on the diverse educational and vocational pathways available to them, emphasizing that empowerment through knowledge and skills is a key deterrent to early marriage.
This multi-pronged approach—combining peer vigilance, legal education, career guidance, and skill development—marks a holistic strategy by the Charaideo district to not only raise awareness but also to provide tangible alternatives and a clear action plan for its youth, making the 'Child Marriage Free India' mission a shared community responsibility.
