State Consultation to make Tamil Nadu Child Marriage Free

With the aim to end child marriage in India by 2030, BachpanBachaoAndolan (BBA) founded by Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi organized a state consultation in collaboration with Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, Government of Tamil Nadu. The consultation engaged and involved multiple stakeholders to intensify the fight against child marriage. 

The key dignitaries present on this occasion included, Chief Guest, Hon’ble Justice Thiru S Baskaran, Chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission; Tmt. SP Karthikaa, IAS, Additional Director, Commissionerate of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment, Government of Tamil Nadu; Dr. PM Nair, IPS (Retd) Former DGP & International Expert Trainer; Tmt R Tamilselvi, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Chennai; Thiru Rajkumar, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Chennai; Ms. J Mary Auxilia, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Tiruvallur. All the stakeholders deliberated through the consultation and created a roadmap to make Tamil Nadu Child Marriage Free.

DhananjayTingal, Executive Director, BBA said, “When Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi ji gave the clarion call last year, the Nation saw an unprecedented and overwhelming response from the entire country. We will leave no stone unturned in our fight against this social evil and commitment shown by one and all only strengthens our determination and zeal.” The consultation is also supported by Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation.

Coming down heavily on the custom of child marriage in the country, Justice Thiru. S. Baskaran, Chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission, said that, "Child marriage not only amounts to the right of the child but also the structure and values of the society. When the perpetrators of child marriage are punished swiftly and severely, this will create deterrence among the general public," he said.

The National Family Health Survey-V (NFHS 2019-21) reports that nationally 23.3% women between the age group of 20-24 were married off before attaining the age of 18. While, Tamil Nadu reported 12.8% of women in the same age group were married before the age of 18 years.