Deogarh Administration Designates All Religious Institutions as Child Marriage-Free Zones
In a significant move to combat the practice of child marriage, the Deogarh district administration in Odisha has officially declared all religious institutions within the district as child marriage-free zones. This declaration forms a crucial part of a comprehensive district-wide campaign aimed at eradicating child marriage entirely.
Strengthening Monitoring and Enforcement
To bolster monitoring and enforcement efforts, the administration has established a child marriage prohibition task force at every panchayat level. Additionally, Anganwadi workers have been mandated to register all marriages in official registers issued by the district administration, ensuring proper documentation and oversight.
Public Vigilance and Cash Incentives
Encouraging public participation, the administration is offering a cash incentive of Rs 3,000 to informers who report instances of child marriage. This initiative aims to foster community vigilance and support the enforcement of child marriage laws.
Decline in Child Marriage Prevalence
Officials reported a notable decline in child marriage prevalence in Deogarh, from 23% in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) to 19% in NFHS-5. This reduction follows the implementation of a district-specific action plan designed to address the issue systematically.
Phased Implementation and Achievements
The campaign has been rolled out in phases:
- In the first phase, 370 villages were declared child marriage-free.
- In the second phase, district collector Kabindra Kumar Sahoo and the zilla parishad president approved the declaration of 364 more villages and 11 municipal wards as child marriage-free. This includes:
- 140 villages in Barkot block
- 116 villages in Reamal
- 108 villages in Tileibani
Progress Towards District-Wide Status
With these efforts, Deogarh is on track to become the third district in Odisha after Ganjam and Gajapati to be declared entirely child marriage-free. The administration's proactive measures highlight a committed approach to safeguarding children's rights and promoting social welfare across the district.
