Are your parents forcing you to marry before the age of 18? Do not worry, at least if you are in West Bengal. Head straight to the nearest police station and without worrying about the consequences or future, lodge a complaint. The rest, including your education, will be taken care of by the government.
Even if you are not a victim, you can help by blowing the whistle on a forced marriage being planned or performed in your family or neighbourhood.
Social welfare minister Biswanath Chowdhury said the government came up with the novel concept to curb the growing menace of child marriage in the state.
“Statistics show that 37% of marriages taking place in the state in a year are illegal. Brides in such cases are mostly under 18. The worst affected districts are Cooch Behar, Purulia, Malda, North 24 Parganas, Birbhum and Nadia,” he said.
Elaborating on the scheme to encourage girls to protest child marriage, the minister said the social welfare department will arrange for their education through state-run orphanages.
“They can study in the scheduled schools registered with the department. Generally, the state government sponsors education of girls in orphanages till they attain the age of 18. But girls who will raise the banner of revolt against child marriage can also go for higher education.”
Such girls, if they desire to take up a job after 18, will be absorbed in the social welfare department.
“They will be tasked with educating other girls in villages where child marriages are rampant. This way they will be able to create awareness against the social evil,” Chowdhury said.
