Guwahati, Feb 20: In a powerful display of youth activism, students in Assam’s Barpeta district took to the streets of Mandia’s Kadong Gram Panchayat (GP) on February 18, 2025, to demand an end to child marriage. The rally, part of a Child Marriage-Free Panchayat campaign, saw young voices echoing across the village, urging their communities to protect the rights of girls.
The initiative, led by the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW) under the Women and Child Development Department, Barpeta, and supported by Piramal Foundation, drew massive participation from students, government officials, and local leaders.
The event kicked off with an electrifying awareness rally, flagged off by Smt. Mousumi Chetia, ACS, Additional District Commissioner, Barpeta. Armed with bold posters and powerful slogans, schoolchildren marched through the village, drawing attention to the urgent need to end child marriage.
Following the rally, a crucial community meeting was chaired by the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), Barpeta, with key representatives from Child Development Project Office (CDPO), District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Health Department and Gram Panchayat representatives.
“We must empower girls with education and opportunities to break this cycle,” emphasized the DSWO, urging community members to take a stand. A health expert warned about the physical and psychological toll of early marriage, while a DCPU representative outlined the legal protections against child marriage, calling for community vigilance.
A Poster Making Competition became a major highlight of the event, as students channeled their creativity to depict the devastating effects of child marriage. Their artwork sent a resounding message—the youth are ready to challenge age-old practices and fight for a future where every girl has the right to education and a life of dignity.
The initiative in Kadong GP, Mandia Block, is part of a larger movement across Barpeta, where DHEW and Piramal Foundation are working tirelessly to eradicate child marriage through awareness and intervention programs.
With Assam’s young warriors leading the charge, the dream of a Child Marriage-Free Panchayat is becoming a powerful reality—one rally, one poster, and one determined student at a time.
