Agartala , May 19, 2023, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Agartala, May 19: Balika Mancha, the Girls' Clubs set up in the schools under the South Tripura district, is creating a positive impact towards the goal of reducing school dropouts of girls caused by child marriage.

The 'Balika Manch' aims to increase the participation of girl students in spreading awareness to prevent gender biased sex selective elimination, preventing child marriage and ensuring education of every girl child.

The Girls' Club is an initiative to empower the girl students to voice their opinion and thoughts related to any discrimination and it reflects the implementation of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' scheme.

The District Task Force of Beti Bachao Beti Padha, South Tripura District under the supervision of the District Magistrate and Collector had constituted the Girls' Club in schools and named them as 'Balika Manch'.

According to an official report, a survey was done by the District Education Office in 2020 to assess the data of school wise dropped out children during Covid-19 pandemic. After analysis of data, it had been observed that most of the girl children had been dropped out due to marriage.

The Balika Manch works to instill confidence among the girls to face and tackle challenges. They members of the Baluka Mancha are regularly conducting various awareness programmes and creating an impact on the mindset of the parents for encouraging their girl students to pursue higher education and face challenges with confidence. 

As per school level report at the end of the year 2021, the number of girl students dropped out due to child marriage was 209.

The status has reportedly improved after all the High and Higher Secondary Schools in the district constituted Balika Manch.

As per monthly report of September 2022, the number of child marriage cases found was 44. It was found that 25 cases were elopement cases and no formal marriage was done. Children were rescued by the police and proper counseling was done by the child line and they were brought back to school, according to the official report.

At present, the members of Balika Manch of different schools looking after all the issues of peers (class-wise) and collecting information regarding issues and possible chances of child marriage in advance through peer group discussion and coordinating with chairperson of Balika Manch through convener.

Besides, necessary measures are being taken for prevention of child marriage through individual counseling, parents counseling, taking help from child line, legal services, nearest PS etc coordinating with the district officials.

A watsapp group has been formed for the immediate intervention in case of report of any child marriage , with DM, SDMs, SDPOs, Teacher charge of Balika Manch, Members from Child line, DISE, Nodal officer from SDM office. On receipt of information the team comprising Police, Civil Administration, Child Line along with teacher in charge rush to the spot and take steps to prevent the child marriage and take an affidavit from the parents for not taking up the marriage further till the girl child attains 18 years.