Collective efforts are needed to eradicate child marriage and child labor – Pragathi Sanstha

Yerpedu, June 15, (Punnami News): Speakers called for all departments to work in coordination to eradicate child marriages and child labor. They spoke at a multi-stakeholder convergence meeting organized by Pragathi Sanstha in collaboration with CRY Bengaluru at Yerpedu mandal center on Monday. Pragathi Sanstha Director K.V. Ramana said….The organization has been working to prevent child marriages in Srikalahasti Shivaratri mass marriages since 2009. He said it is gratifying that no child marriages have been registered in the mandal for the last three years with the cooperation of government departments. Tahsildar Rajasekhar said that migration is the main reason for the child labor system and suggested that collective action is needed for its eradication. MPDO Saubhagya, Mandal Education Officer Dayakar, Labor Officer Srimannarayana, Medical Officer Dr. Lavanya, SI Srikanth Reddy explained the actions of their departments on the protection of child rights, educational development and prevention of child marriage. The Medical Officer expressed concern that cases of teenage pregnancy have been increasing recently. Pragathi Sanstha Project Coordinator K. Narayana said that in the last year, 50 child laborers and 240 school dropouts were re-admitted to schools and 75 child marriages were prevented. Later, the meeting was concluded by taking a pledge to protect child rights.