Chandigarh: Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to protecting children’s rights, the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has intensified its campaign to eliminate the social evil of child marriage.
Disclosing this, Punjab’s Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, said the successful interventions reflect the State Government’s resolve to ensure that every child enjoys a safe, secure and dignified childhood.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to study, grow and realise his or her dreams. Child marriage deprives children of these basic rights, and the Punjab Government will not allow this illegal practice to jeopardise their future,” said Dr. Baljit Kaur.
The Cabinet Minister said the State Government has adopted a proactive approach to preventing child marriages through sustained awareness and timely intervention. As part of this initiative, 172 awareness campaigns have been organised across Punjab to educate parents, Panchayats, schools, social organisations and the general public about the harmful social and health consequences of child marriage, as well as the legal provisions relating to its prohibition.
The Minister informed that 2,076 officers have been designated as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers across Punjab. These include Principals of Government Senior Secondary Schools and Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), who are playing a crucial role in preventing child marriages at the grassroots level.
