Anganwadis, NGOs and children groups help DCPCR keep tabs on child marriages

New Delhi: With the help of Anganwadi's, Non-Governmental Organizations and children groups, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) are keeping a tab on the child marriages in the city.

According to the child rights body, they have asked these three groups to remain alert every time especially in the months of May, June and July.

"During these months, summer holiday begins and we are probing a fact whether families took their children to their native's place for conducting child marriage," DCPCR official said.

The DCPCR official Rita Singh said that currently in four districts of city, awareness programme against child marriage is going on. The focus is given on the clusters.

"We have told Anganwadi's, Non-Governmental Organizations and children groups to inform the commission if they found anything suspicious," said Singh.

She further said that they have told Anganwadi's to keep a regular tab on the children who are registered with them.

"Some NGOs have small children groups who inform them about any suspicious activities related to kids. The NGOs can further inform commission for the solution," added DCPCR official.

According to the child rights body, they have conducted 40-day awareness programmes in different clusters this year.

"With the help of street plays, paintings, we have conducted awareness," said

Singh.

The official further stated that more focus was given in the months of January, February and March when parents are here in the city with their children.

"They were told about the menace of child marriage," added official.

The DCPCR is currently probing a case of child marriage involving a minor boy.

With the help of an NGO, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) made a report (titled India Child Marriage and teenage pregnancy) has revealed that the child marriage has long term negative consequences for both boys and girls.

The adverse effect of early marriage on girls is grave. This includes early pregnancy, educational setbacks, lower employment prospects, exposure to violence and abuse-leading to negative physical and psychological outcomes.