Officials in Amalapuram district, Andhra Pradesh, halted a child marriage involving a 16-year-old girl in Gollaprolu village, Konaseema area. Acting on information received from Childline 1098, a team comprising police, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) and village volunteers intervened to stop the wedding scheduled for May 16th.
The girl, a student in Class X, was being married to a 22-year-old man from the same village. Authorities discovered the marriage preparations were underway despite the legal prohibition against marrying before the age of 18. The CDPO counselled the girl and her parents about the detrimental effects of child marriage, including the denial of educational opportunities and health risks.
Parents initially resisted intervention, claiming the marriage was a family decision and had received approval from both families. However, officials persisted with counselling, explaining the legal consequences and the harm to the girl’s future. Ultimately, the parents relented and gave a written statement halting the marriage.
District Welfare Officer (DWO) Lakshmi Prasanna stated that a case will not be registered against the family, but they have been warned about the legal ramifications of attempting such a marriage again. The girl has been assured support to continue her education.
This incident highlights ongoing efforts to combat child marriage in the region. Childline 1098 played a crucial role in alerting authorities. Officials emphasize continued vigilance and public awareness campaigns to eradicate this practice. The intervention underscores the commitment of the Andhra Pradesh government to protect children’s rights and ensure they have access to education and a safe future. The rescued girl is currently staying with her family and will continue her studies with support from the authorities.
