Child marriage is one of the biggest evils of our society. Getting little ones married causes immense damage to their heart, mind, and innocence which can have severe long-term effects. Such a marriage is wrong in all aspects.
The highest rate of child marriage in India is reported from the state of Rajasthan. Karnataka, too, faces this problem, and IAS officer T Bhoobalan decided to tackle it as soon as he took up the posting of Zilla Parishad CEO of Bagalkot district.
LOCKDOWN INCREASED CHILD MARRIAGES
During the first wave of the pandemic, people were scared to get out of their homes due to fear of catching the virus. Amongst the several calls that the district administration received for help, Mr. Bhoobalan was alarmed at the frequency of calls reporting child marriages.
The 2015-batch IAS officer realized then that it was one of the major effects of the lockdown and subsequent loss of livelihoods. As families struggled to afford a four-square meal, girls below 18 were married off as a cost-cutting measure! This was not an isolated challenge. In fact, between April and July 2020 alone, Karnataka reported 107 cases of child marriage.
ONLINE PORTAL FOR REPORTING
The officer formed a committee of government officials and school teachers to spread awareness and educate the people about the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. Besides organizing meetings, the committee also assured those calling in to report these marriages that their names will not be disclosed.
Most of these brides do not report as they fear their parents will not forgive them. The complainants were asked to either call the 1098 helpline or contact their designated local official directly. The team was directed to work in unison to ensure swift rescue operations instead of waiting for the police to take action.
“While talking to the locals, we realized that the lockdown had also affected them psychologically. Elders in the family believed they will die from coronavirus and won’t get to see the wedding. So, many underage children were obligated to fulfill their family’s last wishes. Our team mitigated the panic,” he said in an interview.
He also added that another problem was the youth having to migrate back to the villages due to lack of work in cities. They were forced to marry. So, the administration gave them jobs through MGNREGA.
A COMMITTEE OF CHILDREN
Further, a Gram Sabha committee consisting of only children was also formed to discuss the evils of child marriage, and what the kids can do if either they or their friends are a victim. They were also asked to spread the message at home.
Due to these steps, the number of complaints increased in the last year and, of the 186 complaints, the administration was able to stop 176 marriages. Ten girls whose marriages had already taken place were directed to go back home and return to their in-laws’ home only after they turned 18.
“A complaint or tip-off from the locals is a crucial step to prevent child marriage. In 2019, we had only 50 complaints but during the pandemic, it increased fourfold. This is a positive impact we recorded but we had a long road ahead,” said Mr. Bhoobalan.
COUNSELING THE VICTIMS
As soon as a child is rescued, they are presented before the Child Welfare Committee for counseling. Depending on the child’s mental health and financial situation, they are either sent back home or kept in the custody of a child welfare home.
“There have been cases where the girl told us she would be sexually abused or physically harassed on returning home. One girl’s father was an alcoholic, so we couldn’t send her back. However, the priority was to send them back home, as the child’s education and life shouldn’t be disrupted. It can have far-reaching mental effects. Fortunately, we had to keep only 5-6 girls in the shelter,” he informed.
The administration takes down all the details of the girls who are sent home. “The team makes weekly visits to the house to check if the girl is married off again or being harassed in any way. They will take a picture on every visit and upload it on the portal. This way, I can keep track of my team and the work,” he said.
SURAKSHINI PORTAL
To help the girls through rehabilitation, the administration trains them in skill development programs including embroidery, tailoring, poultry, and dairy farming. They also teach computer science and once the girl turns 18, she is employed as a data operator in the administration office.
“Our online portal ‘Surakshini’ keeps track of the child’s status and every department official involved has to log in regularly. This has helped us keep the cases in check. This online portal was appreciated by the Karnataka government and will soon be replicated across the state,” the officer said.
Mr. Bhoobalan dealt with two major crises at the same time – the coronavirus pandemic and the grave issue of child marriage. He and his team, comprising the gram panchayat, Anganwadi workers, police officers, revenue officers, and school teachers, managed to stop 176 child marriages in the nick of time.
