Agartala, Feb 13 (NationPress) The government of Tripura has successfully thwarted over 723 child marriages throughout the state in a span of nine months last year, representing a remarkable milestone in its ongoing crusade against this societal menace, stated Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy on Friday.

During a state-level awareness event themed “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat and Gender-Based Violence”, the Minister highlighted that child marriage and gender-based violence remain formidable obstacles to social advancement.

Roy emphasized that the primary aim of a child marriage-free India is to entirely eliminate the practice from society and guarantee a secure, dignified, and promising future for every child. He remarked that child marriage robs children of their rights to education and health, plunging their futures into darkness, while violence and discrimination against women and girl children continue to be significant hurdles in fostering a healthy society.

According to the Minister, discrimination often initiates within families, where distinctions are drawn between sons and daughters. “To cultivate a healthy society, we must transcend such family-level discrimination. Stricter enforcement of laws is essential to combat gender-based violence, along with enhanced social and institutional frameworks to prevent child marriage,” he noted.

Highlighting governmental interventions, Roy mentioned that nine ‘Sakhi One Stop Centres’ are operational in eight districts to ensure the safety of women, with an additional centre set to launch soon in West Tripura district. This addition will elevate the total to 10 centres focused on safeguarding women and children statewide.

He underscored the necessity for active engagement from all societal segments for the campaign's success. “Unless every family, community, and respected individuals step forward, these social evils cannot be eradicated,” he stressed.

Roy also referenced financial support programs designed to assist girls and dissuade early marriage. Under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana, eligible participants receive financial aid of Rs 50,000 to alleviate economic pressures that frequently lead to early marriages.

Moreover, numerous welfare initiatives are underway to empower adolescent girls and promote their ongoing education.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Roy stated that the aspiration is to reduce child marriage incidents to zero and ensure equal opportunities for men and women, remarking that the state’s overall progress hinges on protecting the rights, education, and welfare of girls.

On this occasion, chairperson of the Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights Jayanti Debbarma pointed out that alongside legal actions, collective social involvement is vital to prevent child marriage and protect children. She accentuated the importance of raising awareness among parents and guardians at the familial level.

Chairperson of the Tripura Commission for Women, Jharna Debbarma, stated that for the future of the upcoming generation and to construct a better India and Tripura, society must eliminate discrimination between sons and daughters. She emphasized that girl children must be provided with greater opportunities and support for their advancement.

A senior official from the Social Welfare and Social Education Department reported that between April and December last year, 758 child marriages were documented across Tripura’s eight districts, of which 723 were averted with the active involvement of officials and NGOs.

During this timeframe, 32 FIRs were lodged concerning child marriages, and 1,088 awareness camps were conducted statewide.