Villagers resolved to eliminate child marriage from Khatoli, Ajmer

Winds of change are blowing through the Khatoli village in Ajmer, Rajasthan. Khatoli, where child marriage has been a norm, is now witnessing villagers defying the long-held tradition and campaigning for change.

As part of making the panchayat child marriage-free, an event was organized on October 22 at the Gram Panchayat Khatoli Building, where residents, parents, sarpanches, and community leaders came together with a firm resolve to stop the age-old practice and educate their daughters for a better future.

According to Shri Hariram Bana, the Sarpanch of Khatoli Gram Panchayat, Khatoli hasn’t reported any child marriage during the past year. “We are determined to keep our panchayat child marriage-free and ensure that our daughters receive higher education and become self-reliant,” said Hariram Bana.

Supported by the District Legal Services Authority, Women Empowerment Department of Kishangarh, and the Centre for Advocacy and Research, the event was organized to raise awareness about the negative effects of child marriage and to ensure that girls are not married off till they attained the legal age of 18. More than 50 people, including Anganwadi workers, Saathins, and the Village Development Officer attended the programme.

Several women, whose dreams were shattered due to child marriage, are also joining the campaign. Mrs Pinki from Khatoli is now determined to educate her daughter.  “My greatest wish is that my daughter won’t have to face the same fate as me. I want her to finish her education so she can achieve everything I couldn’t,” says Mrs Pinki. Asserting the same view, Mrs Neeraj said, “I have decided to focus on my daughters’ higher education and make them self-reliant before thinking about their marriage.”

Another woman Shehzad, who stays in Chitakheda village, now regrets marrying off her elder daughter at a younger age.  “I realized that child marriage was a mistake. I’ve made up my mind that my two younger daughters will finish their education, and I’ll only marry them off after they turn 18,” said Shehzad.  Agreeing with Shehzad, Lakshmi, from the same village, said, “I want all my four daughters to be educated. I truly understand what I lost. I’m determined to give my daughters the chance I never had, so they don’t have to live with unfulfilled dreams like I do,” she said.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mahendra Kumar Dhabi, Additional District and Session Judge and Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, explained the various legal protections available to people, including the NALSA schemes and Lok Adalats. He also educated the community on the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, emphasizing its significance in protecting the girls from child marriage.  Shri Dhabi also discussed the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, outlining how women can file complaints under the Act.

Mrs. Payal Chaudhary, Supervisor from the Women Empowerment Department, emphasized the importance of education in empowering girls. She said that early marriage brings along early pregnancy and other health risks to young girls. This will also lead to physical and mental agony, she said.

During the program, 30 parents were honoured with certificates of appreciation by the sarpanch for taking a bold stand against child marriage, and promoting girl child education. The event concluded after taking oath by all participants to eliminate child marriage.