KUPWARA, JANUARY 16: In compliance with the NALSA ASHA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under the “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” campaign, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kupwara has been actively conducting legal awareness programmes across villages in the district with the objective of preventing child marriage and safeguarding the rights of children.
The campaign, which spanned one week, covered approximately 250 villages and directly engaged nearly 9,000 households. The primary aim of these outreach efforts was to educate communities about the harmful effects and legal consequences of child marriage under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, including penalties for individuals who promote, permit, or solemnize such marriages.
During the campaign, on-the-spot counselling was provided to school dropouts, parents, and guardians, highlighting the risks of early marriage and reinforcing the importance of legal compliance. Awareness materials, including pamphlets and posters, were distributed among the public and displayed at schools, Anganwadi centres, and health centres to maximize visibility.
In addition to the door-to-door outreach, mass awareness programmes were conducted in schools, health centres, and Anganwadi centres, ensuring that children, parents, and community members were reached in larger groups and could participate in interactive sessions on child rights, the dangers of early marriage, and legal provisions.
The campaign also focused on strengthening community access to immediate legal aid and child protection services. Families and community members were informed about and encouraged to use key helplines, including the Child Helpline (1098) for reporting any incidents of child abuse or early marriage, and the NALSA Legal Services Helpline (15100) for guidance on legal rights and access to free legal assistance.
Additionally, the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Portal was publicized to enable safe reporting of suspected child marriage cases and to provide information on legal provisions and preventive measures. Field teams ensured that households and mass programme participants were educated on the correct and responsible use of these helplines to protect children effectively.
The campaign was implemented through dedicated village-level drives led by Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) in close collaboration with Teachers, ASHA Workers, Anganwadi Workers, Chokidars, and Lumberdars, who demonstrated exceptional coordination and commitment in reaching households and communities, particularly in remote and high-risk areas.
Families were sensitized about the importance of delaying marriage and promoting the education and overall well-being of children. In many cases, field teams successfully persuaded reluctant families to reconsider early marriage arrangements and ensured that girls were encouraged to continue their schooling.
The ASHA Unit intensified field-level engagement by conducting door-to-door drives and mass awareness sessions to ensure deeper community reach, timely identification of vulnerable children, and promotion of child rights. PLVs, in collaboration with teachers, ASHA Workers, Anganwadi Workers, Chokidars, and Lumberdars, also tracked school dropouts and supported reintegration wherever possible, ensuring that educational opportunities were not interrupted by early marriage.
The combined efforts of officials, field functionaries, and community members significantly strengthened community awareness, vigilance, and commitment towards preventing child marriage while promoting child rights in the district.
The campaign has laid a strong foundation for continued advocacy, monitoring, and legal protection of children in Kupwara.