Child marriages are a blot on our country. Young girls who should study and build a career for themselves are compelled to get hitched at an early age, thus crushing their dreams. A 15-year-old girl form Mysuru district, however, crusaded for her rights and refused to marry her maternal uncle. She has now sought help from the women and child department.
The District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), child rights' activists and cops intervened to ensure that the wedding was called off.
A volunteer from the child helpline told TOI that the girl's family pressured her to marry her maternal uncle.The girl's parents had even fixed the wedding date. But the girl refused to give up on her decision reiterating that she was underage.
Read Also: District Officials Stop Child Marriage After Odisha Girl Seeks Help
However, the parents were adamant.
The girl left her home and arrived at Nanjangud where she decided to spend the night at the Srikanteshwara temple. The courageous girl then approached the department of women and child development office on Hullahalli Road and narrated her ordeal to the authorities
Nanjangud DCPO Geetha Lakshmi told TOI, "We have recorded the statement of the minor girl and shifted her to a girls' home in Siddarthanagar in Mysuru. We will present the report at the Child Welfare Committee meeting."
Read Also: Fireflies: Delhi Slum Girls’ Crusade Against Child Marriage
Meanwhile, officials from the department have traced the parents of the minor girl and have asked them to give statements. Staff from the child helpline will also visit the school to verify the girl's age.
It is heartening to see young girls getting aware about their rights and striving hard to not let archaic mindsets affect their lives.
Read Also: Chittoor: Teachers Save Student from Child Marriage
Follow Us/shethepeople/media/post_banners/1SeeA3K3kZerHzVOrn3W.jpg)
/shethepeople/media/agency_attachments/iUYfaBbcMozaYLoGnoov.png)
