Manipur's Social Welfare Director Calls for Urgent Action Against Child Marriage

IMPHAL: Ngangom Uttam Singh, the Director of Manipur’s Social Welfare Department, has issued a strong call for enhanced public awareness campaigns to address the rising issue of child marriage in the state.

This appeal was made during a one-day orientation and sensitization program held on February 27 at Hotel Imphal, aimed at Child Marriage Prohibition Officers across Manipur.

During his address, Singh pointed out a significant disparity in reported child marriage cases, with higher incidences noted in the valley regions compared to the hill areas. He stressed the importance of determining whether this difference is due to actual occurrences or variations in reporting practices.

Singh admitted the imbalance in the deployment of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers, with more of these officers being deployed in the valley areas, which can be the reason for higher reporting rates. He appealed to the local communities to pressure the government to post more officers in hill tracts where necessary.

One of the major points of Singh's address was the need to increase awareness programs. He mentioned Thoubal and Bishnupur districts as focal points for child marriage, stressing the need for overall educational programs. He mentioned the absence of specific initiatives working on child marriage and urged incorporating this issue into ongoing programs on women and children.

The orientation session also provided the participants with room to provide strategic suggestions, including incorporation of child marriage awareness in the curriculum of schools. The resource speakers delivered lectures on the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the POCSO Act of 2012, highlighting the need for a multi-dimensional response in resisting child marriage through education and law enforcement.

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