Awareness under Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat held at Sumbal, Hajin and Ajas areas of B’pora

Bandipora : As part of the national Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (Child Marriage Free India) 100-Days Intensive Awareness Campaign, officials from the District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee, Child Helpline and Child Helpdesk conducted extensive sensitization and outreach programmes across the Sumbal, Hajin, and Ajas areas of district Bandipora.
Under the structured drive against early and illegal marriages, frontline child protection officials engaged with diverse community groups including shopkeepers, drivers, students, general public, and local residents to raise awareness about the legal provisions and serious consequences under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, which prohibits marriages involving minors and mandates reporting of suspected cases.
During the activities, officers emphasized the importance of community vigilance and urged citizens to report any suspected incidents of child marriage immediately by calling Child Helpline 1098, a toll-free emergency number dedicated to reporting and intervening in child protection concerns. IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials including pamphlets and posters highlighting legal punishments and how to safeguard child rights were distributed to residents and prominently displayed at markets, bus stands, schools, and other high-footfall locations in these areas.
Officials highlighted that community outreach and awareness are key pillars of the national campaign launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development Government of India to mobilize stakeholders for prevention of child marriages, promote child Rights and protection, and ensure widespread knowledge about legal remedies and reporting avenues under law.
The outreach in Sumbal, Hajin and Ajas reflects the ongoing drive by district administration to involve local communities in the national mission to make India child-marriage-free by enhancing grassroot awareness, strengthening reporting systems, and reinforcing legal literacy among parents, youth and community members.